Mitch Freeley

You can watch the live stream of Denmark Vs Australia via beIN SPORTS CONNECT. 

Match Report

Mile Jedinak's second penalty of the World Cup earned Australia a precious 1-1 draw against Denmark after a controversial VAR decision led to Christian Eriksen's superb opener being cancelled out in Samara.

Denmark winger Yussuf Poulsen conceded his second penalty in as many games when video replays led to a decision of handball against him and Jedinak buried the ensuing spot-kick to earn Australia their first point of the tournament.

Bert van Marwijk's side had to grind out a draw against a Denmark side who showed flashes of brilliance, none better than Christian Eriksen's seventh-minute opener.

The Tottenham playmaker defied Denmark's reputation as a goal-shy outfit, applying a wonderfully crisp finish to a swift passing move that was reminiscent of the great Danish side of the 1980s.

But Poulsen's apparent handball means he will miss Denmark's final Group C game against France, having picked up two yellow cards in two games, and Age Hareide's men need a point from that game to make sure of their place in the knockout stage.

Nothing short of victory will do for Australia when they take on Peru, and they can't afford to rely on decisions going their way as they did here.

The Danes took 27 minutes to register a shot in their Group C opener against Peru but Thomas Delaney headed wide from Pione Sisto's cross after just two minutes against Australia.

At the other end, Mathew Leckie rose above the Danish defence to head a corner over the bar but Denmark countered and Nicolai Jorgensen's elegant ball control and lay-off afforded Eriksen the chance to hit the cleanest of half-volleys over Mat Ryan and into the top of the net.

Australia ventured forward tentatively, never achieving the kind of intuitive flow that had been their undoing, whereas Denmark went close to doubling their lead when Sisto tested Ryan with a 20-yard drive and again when Jorgensen flashed a close-range header just wide.

The game was going Denmark's way until the 35th minute when referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz consulted VAR and decided Poulsen used his arm to block Leckie's headed shot and awarded the penalty, which Jedinak drilled into the bottom right corner of the net.

Poulsen had a penalty claim of his own waved away early in the second half after he tumbled to the ground on his way into the Australia box and there were nervy moments for Denmark when Kasper Schmeichel failed to collect a looping long ball before Leckie flashed the ball across the face of goal.

Van Marwijk sent on the tournament's youngest player, Daniel Arzani, with just over 20 minutes left to play and he teed up Aaron Mooy for a fizzing shot that flew just over the top right corner of Schmeichel's goal from outside the box.

Socceroos striker Andrew Nabbout left the field with a dislocated shoulder and was replaced by Tomi Juric, who contributed to a good spell of late Australia pressure, but Denmark's well-organised defence held firm as they earned a point that gives them one foot in the last 16.

Live Updates

Highlights/ Goals

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak keeps his composure from the spot to level the contest, thanks to a VAR awarded penalty. 

Christian Eriksen opens the scoring with a sweet half-volley! Denmark is 1-0 up! 

Preamble

Why not enjoy some news just before the game! Kate Mason has you covered. 

Team News! We have Team news! Australia has named an unchanged side for the game. As for Denmark Lasse Schone slots into midfield, replacing William Kvist. 

The teams for #DENAUS are in! 👀

Score prediction? — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2018

Hello! Welcome to day 7 of the World Cup! What a magical week it has been! Today Denmark take on Australia in Group C get us underway. A win for Denmark will assure their progression to the round of 16, whilst dumping out Australia in the process. It promises to be a tasty encounter in Samara. 

Preview

You can watch the stream of the match from the Samara Live & Exclusive on beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Denmark will be looking to register their second win of the group stage when they face Australia on Thursday afternoon. However despite getting the better of Peru in their Group C opener Åge Hareide’s side will be expecting a physical encounter against an Australian side who are facing the prospect of being eliminated from the World Cup.

The Danes looked compact against Peru and certainly rode their luck as the South American side missed a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. However, Yussuf Poulsen scored just after the hour mark to give the European side a vital win.

Thomas Delaney impressed in the centre of midfield against Peru, and the 26-year-old soon-to-be Borussia Dortmund is set for a pivotal role against Australia. The tough tacking midfielder will go head to head against Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, the winner of that battle could decide the contest.

Denmark Predicted Team

Schmeichel, Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Larsen, Schone, Eriksen, Delaney, Poulsen, Nicolai Jorgensen, Sisto

How to watch Online- beIN SPORTS CONNECT

TV Channel- MAX HD3

Kick-off- 15:00

Stadium- Samara Arena, Samara

As for Australia, they showed glimpses of their quality in their 2-1 defeat to France in their opening game of the World Cup. The Socceroo’s excelled defensively against France, and had a VAR decision and a deflected Paul Pogba shot to thank for their defeat. Bert van Marwijk will know full well that his team will need a more attacking outlook for the game against Denmark.

Mathew Leckie impressed on the wing for Australia, with a disciplined performance against France. The Hertha Berlin was a threat going forward for his side and will be charged with pestering Denmark in Samara on Thursday evening

Australia Predicted Team

Ryan, Risdon, Milligan, Sainsbury, Behich, Leckie, Jedinak, Rogic, Mooy, Kruse, Cahill

It promises to be an interesting tie Denmark look to book their place in the round of 16 when they take on an Australia side with a point to prove. Watch the Live & Exclusive stream of the game on MAX HD3 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.