Acrobatic goalkeeper saves day for Denmark

Whether Kasper Schmeichel was making an acrobatic save or just getting lucky, it was his night.

In a World Cup debut reminiscent of the way his father, Peter, played for Denmark and Manchester United, Schmeichel made Yussuf Poulsen’s opportunistic second-half goal stand in a 1-0 victory Saturday over Peru in Group C.

“It’s good to have a good goalkeeper, let me put it that way,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said. “He is acrobatic and a very quick goalkeeper. He had a fantastic performance and we needed it. You have to acknowledge the performance of Kasper today.”

Poulsen squeezed his goal between charging Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and the left post in the 59th minute after collecting an angled pass from midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, Peru had overwhelming fan support in Saransk, Russia, and the bulk of scoring chances, including a late first-half penalty shot that Christian Cueva sent sailing over the crossbar.

The penalty was awarded after referee Bakary Gassama used the Video Assistant Referee system to decide Poulsen had tripped Cueva in the penalty area.

Croatia 2, Nigeria 0: Even in a more defensive role, Luka Modric can still lead the attack.

The Croatia midfielder scored one goal and set up the other in his team’s Group D victory in Kaliningrad.

Modric sent in a corner that was headed by two teammates and then deflected into the net by Nigeria’s Oghenekaro Etebo in the 32nd minute.

“We scored at the perfect moment. After that it was easier for us to play our game,” Modric said. “After the first goal we started creating chances.”

Modric later converted a penalty in the 71st after William Ekong held on to Mario Mandzukic. France 2, Australia 1: game in Group C.

Pogba had been unimpressive until the goal, but the Manchester United midfielder set up a scoring opportunity with Olivier Giroud and beat Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

Goal-line technology was used at Kazan Arena to confirm the ball had crossed the line after bouncing off the crossbar.

Earlier in the game, the French team was given a controversial penalty kick, converted by Antoine Griezmann, after the Video Assistant Referee system was used.