Christian Eriksen celebrates after finding the net. (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)
Denmark 1, Australia 0
Group C, Samara Arena, Samara
Goal!
Seven minutes into the match, Denmark scores with Christian Eriksen — no surprise — capitalizing on a nifty goal when Australia fails to clear the ball from in front of the net.
Denmark started well, attacking down the middle and, after a brief flurry by the Socceroos, the Danes were back at it, quickly breaking through after two quality touches by Nicolai Jorgensen. Twenty-three minutes into the match, a bullet of a header by Jorgensen just missed the net.
Twenty-five minutes into the match, Australia catches Denmark on its back foot, but can’t convert.
In what has been an odd World Cup for goals so far, note that this was a “normal” goal by Eriksen.
Pregame thoughts
Australia may not have won its opener, but the Socceroos were pesky, hanging with France in a foul-fest that Les Bleus won, 2-1, on Paul Pogba’s 81st minute goal. Denmark, meanwhile, watched as Peru controlled action for much of their opener, but managed to win 1-0 anyway.
Australia’s loss illustrated its ability to hang in there against solid teams, and striker Tomi Juric remains optimistic. “I think [assistant coach and former AC Milan midfielder] Mark van Bommel got a text message from one of his former teammates, Thiago Silva, complimenting us on how well we played against a top opposition,” Juric told reporters. “Everything is still up in the air and up for grabs and I am very positive about our chances of progressing through this group.”
Australia has lost seven of its nine World Cup matches against European teams, beating only Serbia in 2010, and has lost its last four World Cup matches, conceding at least two goals in each game.
Denmark’s performance may have been underwhelming, but it grabbed three precious points in Group C. “It was nice to see that we can actually win even though it wasn’t great to look at,” playmaker Christian Eriksen told reporters.
Denmark lost midfielder William Kvist, who sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung in the opener, likely for the rest of World Cup competition. Kvist, however, is saying he could return.
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The starting lineups
Australia’s lineup is unchanged from the group who lost to France, so look for strategic adjustments rather than personnel changes.
Sydney is getting its kicks
They’re ready for some soccer in Australia. (Kickoff is at 10 p.m. Down Under.)
When: Thursday, June 21, 8 a.m. Eastern
How to watch on TV: FS1.
How to stream online: Fox Sports and the Fox Soccer Match Pass apps and FoxSportsGo.com.
How to watch in Spanish: Telemundo
How to watch in Canada: Bell Media’s TSN and CTV networks, the TSN GO app and TSN.ca/live.
Team profiles
Denmark (1-0-0, 3 points)
- Last World Cup showing: Group stage, 2010.
- Best finish: Quarterfinals, 1998.
- Notable: De Rød-Hvide gave up just nine goals in 10 qualifying matches.
- FIFA world ranking: 12. ELO world ranking: 13.
Australia (0-0-1, 0 points)
- Last World Cup showing: Group stage, 2014.
- Best finish: Round of 16, 2006.
- Notable: Bert van Marwijk, who led the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, was named the Socceroos’ interim coach in January.
- FIFA world ranking: 36. ELO world ranking: 35.
Players to watch
Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) scored a hat trick against Ireland to help the Dynamite advance through a playoff to the World Cup. He has full run of the attacking midfield to feed three forwards who will press up the field. Mathew Leckie and Tom Rogic may be the men to watch if the Socceroos are to advance.
What’s next
Denmark: vs. France in Moscow, June 26, 10 a.m.
Australia: vs. Peru in Sochi, June 26, 10 a.m.
Complete World Cup schedule, standings and results
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