Denmark kicked off their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Peru at the Mordovia Arena as a second-half goal from Yussuf Poulsen handed the Danes all three points in this Group C clash, but Peruvian fans will feel what could’ve been as they dominated for large parts of the game, and also missed a penalty in the closing stages of the first half.
Poulsen benefited from some smart work from playmaker Christian Eriksen, who found his teammate on the left-hand side, and Poulsen unleashed a shot that went past Pedro Gallese’s near post to give the European side the lead just before the hour-mark, but throughout the 90 minutes Peru looked the better side.
They flew out of the traps, and Andre Carrillo was causing problems in a shaky looking Danish defence, but Kasper Schmeichel was on top form to withstand any shots from the South Americans, but he was to face his biggest test when Peru were awarded a penalty through VAR.
Christian Cueva was tripped up in the Danish box, but referee Bakary Gassama let play continue until there was a chance for a VAR review, and he then turned his decision around and Peru had a chance from the spot, but Cueva, having brushed himself down skied the resultant penalty to miss a huge chance.
Denmark made Peru pay for that miss from 12 yards and Poulsen’s goal will mean that Denmark join France on three points in Group D, with Peru and Australia sitting at the bottom of the table on zero points from their opening match.
