Eriksen makes his mark to deny Peru
ONE moment was all Christian Eriksen needed. Peripheral P for much of the contest, co unable to set the tempo as usual, he brought calm at the crucial c point.
It was Eriksen’s fine pass that set up the only o goal of this game and won Denmark De three points they were rather fortunate to collect.
The fact Kasper Schmeichel delivered one of his best matches in a Danish shirt tells you why a thoroughly vibrant Peru deserved to end their first World Cup game in 36 years as victors.
Schmeichel made six saves, some of excellent quality, to extend an unbeaten record for his country to 534 minutes. However, he was not required when Peru were awarded a first-half penalty via VAR. Christian Cueva skied the ball from the spot and his tears at the final whistle spoke volumes.
It was the second occasion in Group C that the video assistant referee proved influential yesterday — France were given a VAR penalty earlier in the day.
Initially Gambian referee Bakary Gassama allowed play to continue when Cueva fell having checked back inside Yussuf Poulsen. But called to study the replay, Gassama saw the trip to Cueva’s back boot and pointed to the spot.
Yet the pressure got to Cueva, who went on a long run-up, paused for a shuffle, then sent the ball well over the bar.
His miss was made to count in the 59th minute when Denmark played Peru at their own game. The masters of counter-attack were unpicked on the break as Pione Sisto fed Eriksen, who strode forward and slipped the perfect pass to Poulsen.
Played onside by Miguel Trauco, Poulsen took one touch with his right and finished with his left. It was the 17th goal that Eriksen had contributed to in his last 14 internationals.
Peru sent on talisman Paolo Guerrero and the chances kept coming. Guerrero drew a save from Schmeichel with a header and then saw the ball roll just wide from a clever backheel.
Eriksen had a chance to seal it but his finish was saved. It didn’t matter; Tottenham’s maestro had already struck the meaningful note.