Match Review: Denmark v. Peru

Denmark v Peru
Score: 1-0
Goal: Poulsen 59'
Possession: 48-52
Shots: 10-17
Man of the match: Christian Eriksen

Denmark open up their campaign with an important win against Peru. The match started off with Peru taking it too the Danes. They were getting their front four involved and seemed to overwhelm the Danish defence with pace. The first clear chance for the Peruvians came from winger Andre Carrillo, who hit a sweet strike that was well saved by Kasper Schmeicel. There were more chances from the Peruvians as the half continued. Farfan and Cueva had a couple half chances that didn't lead to anything but did show Peru's dominance. Denmark on the other hand were relying on the counter attack. They created maybe 1 or 2 chances but really didn't create anything too meaningful throughout the first half. The biggest moment of the first half came to Peruvian Christian Cueva as he was brought down in the box by striker Christian Poulsen. Poulsen mistimed his challenge and and dragged the right foot of Cueva to the ground. VAR confirmed the call and Cueva stepped up. Unfortunately for Peruvians across the world, Cueva skied it over the bar and sent the match into halftime goal less. At half Peru would've definitely have liked to be up a goal or two but had to take the positives going into the second half. Denmark would've been happy to see their gameplan to counter attack was working. But they needed to get the ball to their impact players such as Eriksen and Sisto to create opportunities on the counter attack. The second half started with much of the same, with Peru blazing forward. But then a turnover in midfield allowed Christian Eriksen a chance to run at the Peruvians in a 3v3 scenario. Eriksen threaded the needle into Poulsen who slotted it home to the near post giving Denmark the advantage completely against the run of play. This didn't change how Peru played at all though. They brought on star striker Paolo Guerrero who made an impact but unfortunately it wasn't enough. They created many chances but couldn't get it past the brick wall in net, Kasper Schmeicel. The match ended 1-0 in a very tough and gutting loss for Peru whonow must beat France in their upcoming match to give themselves a chance. For Denmark a win against Australia will send them through, and after this very positive result that shouldn't be a problem.