World Cup 2018
Group C
Thursday, June 21st
Denmark vs Australia
Kick-off at 13:00 (1pm) GMT
France vs Peru
Kick-off at 16:00 (4pm) GMT
‘First Thursdays’ are a thing. And the first full Thursday at this year’s FIFA World Cup brings you three mouth-watering clashes to wet your footballing appetite.
DENMARK VS AUSTRALIA
SAMARA ARENA, SAMARA
The Danes really rode their luck against a resilient Peru outfit and bar a missed penalty and a masterclass performance in goal by Kasper Schmeichel, the result could have been so very different for the European nation making their first World Cup appearance in eight years. They had Yousef Poulsen to thank for his fine finish that sealed the 1-0 win and extended Denmark’s unbeaten run to 14 matches in internationals dating back to October 2016.
The Socceroos have often surprised on the world stage and put on their usual gutsy performance against the French in their opening Group C encounter on Saturday but their stubborn side were undone at the death as Aziz Behich’s deflected own-goal sent Les Bleus top of the early standings condemning Australia to their first defeat in four internationals.
Group C results:
16/06/2018 – France 2-1 Australia
16/06/2018 – Peru 0-1 Denmark
The sides have faced three times in friendly internationals, but this will be their first competitive clash at the highest level.
Denmark vs Australia head-to-head:
Played: 3
Denmark Wins: 2
Draws: 0
Australia Wins: 1
Their last meeting came in Copenhagen in 2012 as the Danish Dynamite prepared for their upcoming European Championship campaign with Daniel Agger’s penalty and Andreas Bjelland’s second-half strike securing the bragging rights for the home side. The Socceroo’s sole victory came in the build-up to the 2010 showpiece as Joshua Kennedy’s solitary goal sealed the deal.
Denmark vs Australia results:
02/06/2012 – Denmark 2-0 Australia
01/06/2010 – Australia 1-0 Denmark
06/02/2007 – Australia 1-3 Denmark
FRANCE VS PERU
EKATERINBURG ARENA, YEKATERINBRUG
Peru, making their first FIFA World Cup appearance since Spain in 1982, were made to wait agonisingly longer for their next success at the tournament. La Blanquirroja have not won a match at the FIFA World Cup since their 4-1 demolition of debutants Iran in Argentina in 1978. They will hopefully welcome back star captain Paolo Guerrero to the starting line-up for the clash with France after the forward was reinstated back into the squad following his controversial doping ban. The 34-year-old bagged five goals in 17 qualifying appearances for Peru as they secured a coveted spot in Russia.
Paul Pogba was simply sensational for France in their opening exchange with Australia at the World Cup, despite scraping across the line extended their unbeaten run to five matches, leaving Didier Deschamps with little doubt that his star-studded side are in it for the long-haul as they aim to get over the bitter disappointment of losing the final of Euro 2016 in front of their faithful home crowd.
France and Peru have met just once before in the international arena, 36 years ago, when the South American’s stunned the hosts who had the famous Michel Platini in their side, coming away from the Parc Des Princes with a famous 1-0 win.
France vs Peru results:
28/04/1982 – France 0-1 Peru
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