ERIKSEN’S CARRYING A CRO BAR

CROATIA DENMARK Last 16: Nizhny Novgorod, tomorrow, 7pm ITV

TOTTENHAM’S Christian Eriksen is the man Croatia fear will block their World Cup path.

Denmark are on a 17-match unbeaten run and Croatia’s Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj admitted: “Denmark are a very good team.

“They have Christian Eriksen (above), who is a top player.

“I’ve played against him seven or eight times and I’m very aware of his qualities.

“It will be a tough match, but I believe that we have enough quality to reach the quarterfinals.”

Winger Ivan Strinic knows there can be no mistakes now the tournament has reached the knockout phase.

Strinic, who tangled with Lionel Messi (below) in Croatia’s handsome 3-0 win over Argentina, said: “We have won in the first three games, but from now on every mistake will be punished.

“We greatly appreciate and respect Denmark.

“This is a team that is very well organised. Great team!”

Midfielder William Kvist, who punctured a lung and broke two ribs in Denmark’s opening game against Peru, could make a surprise return.

Assistant coach Jon Dahl Tomasson said: “We can’t be satisfied that we have reached this stage, we have to be ambitious and have that inner drive to go further. And we have to be clinical when it matters.”