Denmark survive Peru onslaught to win gripping contest

Denmark survived a Peru onslaught to open their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win in Saransk.

Yussuf Poulsen’s second-half goal was enough to give Age Hareide’s side a narrow victory, although they were saved a number of times by Kasper Schmeichel, who almost single-handedly prevented Peru from finding the back of the net.

Jefferson Farfan and Andre Carrillo both came close for Peru, but Christian Cueva was made to rue spurning the South Americans’ best opportunity, blasting over a penalty kick that was awarded following the use of VAR.

Peru picked themselves up and continued to create scoring chances, with Paulo Guerrero coming off the bench in the second half, but they could not find the equaliser that their performance probably warranted.

Will Peru be able to pick themselves up after this? The sight of a Cueva devastated at the end of the match provided the defining image of this match for Peru. Of course, he was the one who missed the penalty kick at the end of the first half. Had he converted that this match might have turned out very differently for the Peruvians, who played with a lot of verve and energy. So will they take the positives from this performance or will this defeat crush their World Cup optimism?

Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark): He has yet to concede a goal for Denmark in 2018. This was a magnificent performance from Schmeichel, who did more than anyone else to thwart Peru. Denmark sat back and absorbed pressure for much of the match, but they still allowed their opponents a number of chances in front of goal. But when their defence failed them, Schmeichel was on hand to stop Peru. He was solid for the full 90 minutes.

Peru: Gallese 8, Advincula 6, Ramos 6, Rodriguez 5, Truaco 6, Yotun 6, Tapia 6, Flores 7, Cueva 6, Carrillo 8, Farfan 7. Subs: Aquino, Ruidiaz, Guerrero 6.

Denmark: Schmeichel 9, Dalsgaard 6, Kjaer 7, Christensen 8, Larsen 6, Kvist 5, Delaney 5, Sisto 5, Eriksen 7, Poulsen 8, Jorgensen 5. Subs: Schone 5, Braithwaite 6, Jorgensen.

13’ - BIG SAVE! That's the closest we have come to an opener. Carrillo cuts inside off the right wing on to his left foot and gets the curling shot away, but Schmeichel makes the diving save.

45’ - PENALTY KICK TO PERU! Cueva goes down inside the area and on first viewing it looked like the Peruvian had his heels clipped. Will we go to VAR for this? This is a big call for the referee... he goes over to the viewing area... and... has used VAR to give the penalty! Cueva was caught by Poulsen.

46’ - BLASTED OVER THE BAR! Cueva stepped up to the 12-yard mark and he has smashed his penalty kick well over the bar. That's not even close! What a chance for Peru.

56’ - HOW DID THEY MESS THAT UP? That should be a Peruvian goal. Cueva cuts inside, passes to Carrillo, who can't control it, and then Truaco completely scuffs his shot wide. Yikes.

58’ - GOAL! Peru 0-1 Denmark. Denmark have taken the lead! Peru were caught up the pitch on the break, Eriksen prods through the pass for Poulsen, who had space. He was onside, held his run and slid a finish past Gallese. The Danes are ahead!

70’ - INCHES WIDE! That looked destined for the back of the Danish net. A cross was headed back across goal and Carrillo and Farfan couldn't force it in at the back post. So close!

79’ - BACKHEEL WIDE! Wow, that was soooo close to an equaliser. Cueva's shot falls at the feet of Guerrero with his back to goal six yards out. He tries a backheel, but it flashes just past the post.

83’ - WHAT A CRUCIAL BLOCK! Just for a moment, that looked to be curtains for Peru. The ball fell to Jorgensen unmarked 10 yards out. But Advincula made an amazing block with an outstretched leg!

86’ - THAT WAS THE CHANCE! That should have been the equaliser for Peru. Carrillo beat his man, surged down the right and set up Farfan for the shot, but Schmeichel saves with his feet!

Four penalties have been given in a single day of the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

More penalty kicks have been missed at this World Cup than were missed at the 2014 World Cup.

Christian Eriksen's assist was his 17th goal (12) or assist (five) in his last 14 international games for Denmark.