Australia’s VAR-aided penalty cancels out classy Eriksen strike

Mile Jedinak's penalty cancelled out Christian Eriksen's brilliant opener in a surprisingly entertaining game in Group C; both sides move to the final round of matches with a decent chance of reaching the last 16.

It was Denmark who started the better, and they needed just seven minutes to take the lead, Nicolai Jorgensen's delicious reverse-pass teeing up Eriksen to smack home a superb drive, on the rise.

But as the first half progressed, Australia forced their into things, with Tom Rogic to the fore. And on 38 minutes, they equalised - with a lot of help from VAR. Aaron Mooy sent a corner into the box, Mark Milligan headed goalwards, and the ball hit the raised arm of Yussuf Poulsen. The referee saw no penalty but the officials in the truck decided to the contrary, called the referee to the screen, and he changed his mind; based on what, it is impossible to say, because the handball did not look remotely deliberate and his purported error did not look "clear and obvious". Anyway, Mile Jedinak ignored some sub-Joe Hart antics from Kasper Schmeichel and slotted home from the spot.

In the second half Australia were much the better side, stronger, faster and more intense. But they could not fashion any clear-cut chances, so must now hope that they beat Peru and France beat Denmark, with there being a margin of more than one goal in at least one game. For Demark, meanwhile, a draw will probably be enough - but to achieve that, they will need to play much better than they did today.

Why did Denmark not change their approach? Looking at the teams before the game, it was clear that Australia had the advantage in midfield. And from about 30 minutes in, they exploited that and as a consequence, marginalised Christian Eriksen. For reasons known best to himself, Åge Hareide allowed this to continue through the second half, when a more proactive approach would've given his team a better chance of nicking a winner.

Tom Rogic (Australia) The best player on the pitch. His runs through midfield helped Australia take control of the match, and he also passed the ball intelligently.

Denmark: Schmeichel 6, Dalsgaard 6, Kjaer 7, Christensen 6, Stryger 5, Eriksen 6, Schone 6, Delaney 5, Sisto 7, Yurary 5, Jorgensen 6. Subs: Braithwaite 6, Cornelius 6.

Australia: Ryan 6, Risdon 7, Sainsbury 6, Milligan 6, Behich 6, Jedinak 7, Mooy 6, Rogic 8, Leckie 7, Nabbout 6, Kruse 4. Subs: Arzani 7, Juric 6, Irvine 6.

7’ - GOAL! A LOVELY GOAL! Denmark 1-0 Australia (Eriksen) Mooy doesn't clear properly and Delaney heads into Jorgensen, who holds up well before flick-cushioning beautifully into the path of Eriksen, on the turn. The ball bounces up, but that doesn't bother yerman, who cuts across it on the rise, sending a jazzer flaying past Ryan and into the roof of the net. That was a very difficult finish made to look very easy.

37’ - PENALTY! It hit Yurary's arm, which was far higher that it can possibly be if the ball hits it - according to these refs anyway! He's booked - that's a bit much - and will miss the next game...

38’ - GOAL! Denmark 1-1 Australia (Jedinak pen) Schmeichel performas all sorts of sub-Joe Hart antics but Jedinak doesn't give a rabbit one, slotting right as Schmeichel dives the other way.