World Cup 2018: Peru vs Denmark, 5 talking points

Score: Peru 0-1 Denmark

Scorers: 59th minute - Poulsen

Ahead of their own Group fixture, both teams must have been pretty pumped up. Having seen Argentina draw with one of the smallest nations at the World Cup, Iceland, one can’t help but be inspired.

While in the earlier Group C game, group favourites France’s victory over Australia meant that both teams knew they had to get a positive result in order to progress in the tournament.

And that said, Peru was the one who were quick off the blocks. Denmark, on the other hand, stood their ground, before slowly pulling themselves back into the game.

Peru was excellent throughout pulling the Danish defense out of shape, but ultimately failing to make it count when it mattered. That said, there were enough talking points, here is a look at them:

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#1 Poulsen pounces as Denmark make it count

Poulsen's goal proved to be the difference in the match

This was only the first weekend of the World Cup, 2018 and teams have been playing like its now or never. Another group game lived up to the noise inside the stadium, with both teams having a go at each other.

And once the Danish armada settled they started stringing those passes which are as delicious as their pastries. And the icing was the manner in they dispatched a swift counter-attack on their South American opponents.

That said the weight of the pass was perfect for Poulsen to just guide it past the onrushing keeper and into the back of the net.

“Fine margins” as they say as Eriksen found the decisive pass that Poulsen slid in to give Denmark the lead. Up till that moment, Peru had been in the ascendancy and bar the goal that is how Peru played the game.

However, when it came to the bottom-line it was the angled finish by Yussuf Poulsen that turned out to be the decisive factor.

#2 Hard luck for Peru

Cueva was inconsolable after he missed his penalty

It's surprising how once the game ends and you look at the stats and realize that the game has been pretty even. Statistically, speaking Peru didn’t outrun Denmark, even though it looked like Peru had the ball all the time.

Instead, Denmark had five shots on target in comparison to Peru’s five and more importantly the shot that gave them the lead. But there were moments in the game when Peru clearly outthought and outran the Danish defence.

That said when Peru was awarded the penalty one felt it was a deserved chance for them to take the lead in the game.

Maybe, things could have been different, but the World Cup it isn’t about maybes and Peru will need to get a positive result against France, if they are to progress beyond the group stages.

Their opponents wouldn’t have begrudged them either as Peru had created the clearer of chances.

Poulsen had an impact on both parts of the pitch and Christian Cueva should have punished the rashness of the Leipzig winger.

But as was the theme throughout, it was another wasted opportunity as Cueva blasted the penalty over as Peru trudged off for half-time.

#3 Kasper Schmeichel comes of age

Splendid Schmeichel saves the day

Actually, it’s been a while Kasper Schmeichel has arrived. He was one of the key players when Leicester City won the Premier League title in 2015-16, as he kept a commendable 15 sheets in the campaign. And against Peru, he extended his clean-sheet tally to six on the trot with the national team.

Defensive solidarity aside, the Leicester keeper has been a solid leader over the years for his national and club team.

And on the world stage, he was at ease. That said, the only uneasiness he felt was when he could watch helplessly as Guerrera with his back to goal and a man on, almost found the bottom right-hand corner with a back-heel from 12 or more yards out.

He was kept busy throughout and the save to keep out Flores will live long in the memory of the Peru players. It almost seemed a goal and only a strong left hand kept the ball from rippling the Danish keeper’s net.

The 31-year-old knows that World Cup and Denmark are not spoken of in the same breath, but then he knows what is to be an underdog and Denmark will be quietly confident of holding their own as they approach their next game against Australia.

#4 Peru fans light up in the glorious sunshine

2018 FIFA World Cup: 1st Stage Group C match Peru 0 - 1 Denmark

Peru must have felt at home when they turned up at Saransk. Thousands of Peruvian fans had lined the streets to the stadium and looked like they were having a ball of a time as they blew their horns and belted out songs of support for their team.

And the Peruvians were on the charge right from the off as they unsettled the Danish defence.

While there aren’t that many household names in this Peru team, it was Andre Carrillo of Watford who found joy down his right flank as he set up Farfan and having a go himself.

Chances came and there was a wild joy in the manner Peru attacked every time they got the ball. Such was their positivity that one could watch them beyond 90 minutes and not tire.

Being back on this stage after 36 years means a lot to these players and it showed in their efforts as time and again, they ran at the Danish defence.

It would be great for the World Cup, if Peru can make it out of the Group Stage as they are a team that believes in attack as a form of defence, thus for neutrals, they are entertaining.

#5 Can Denmark do a Euro 1992

Denmark can be the surprise package in this year's World Cup

Ever since Denmark won the Euro 1992 in fairytale style, there is always a sentiment of magic attached to the team. Neutrals all over the world generally enjoy their style of play which is mostly forward-looking. And with the likes of Eriksen, Kjaer and Christensen, they have a good mix of the experience and young.

As unlikely title triumphs go, Denmark have been there and done that, but that was more than two decades ago.

This generation of Danes has it in them, with Eriksen at the centre pulling the strings, for the likes of Poulsen and Cornelius to run onto.

The fact they received a reprieve despite a VAR decision and the subsequent penalty miss will be a cause of optimism. However, they will need to defend more solidly and allow less space for their opponents if they are to entertain thoughts of progress.

Also, a round of appreciation for the Bakary Gassama, the Gambian referee, who had an outstanding game as he made effective use of the technology on offer to get a key decision right.

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