Peru 0-1 Denmark
Peru have not been at a World Cup since 1982, so they were determined to savour every single moment.
In fact, according to FIFA, Peru have sold more tickets than 25 other nations for this tournament. There was no shortage of support as they were out in force.
And some of their supporters have gone to extraordinary lengths.
It was so refreshing to watch the Peruvians as they displayed an innocence and zest rarely seen. And they can play, too!
Highlights of the game
When they qualified last autumn, the reaction of fans in Lima produced enough seismic activity to trigger earthquake detection alarms in the capital city.
This was the moment they had been waiting for and, as World Cup 2018 matches go, this was very easy on the eye.
SBOBET odds suggested a close encounter and this certainly was.
Here was a team brimming with belief, given the extra boost of having Paolo Guerrero in their ranks in Russia. Their captain and record goalscorer was allowed to travel and be included in the squad after his doping ban was frozen following a well-documented dispute.
Given a reprieve, he started on the bench here and certainly gave the Peruvians extra potency in attack when he arrived midway through the second half.
By then, they were 1-0 down to a quick counter-attack just before the hour mark.
Yussuf Poulsen coolly finished off a counter-attack, created by a beautiful weight of pass from influential maestro captain Christian Eriksen, the Spurs man who, more than anyone, inspired them to the finals.
However, aside from the odd moment from Eriksen and a few driving runs from Pione Sisto, Age Hareide’s well-drilled side were second-best.
They should have been behind at the break when Poulsen took out Christian Cueva on the stroke of half-time.
VAR in Saransk provided the correct decision: the impressive Ghanaian official Bakary Gassama pointed to the spot after consulting the much-talked-about system, and Peru playmaker Cueva blasted the ball high and not very handsome.
Cueva, one of Peru’s bright sparks, was devastated and left the pitch at the break being consoled by his team-mates after he skied 12-yard effort – one of the worst penalties you will ever see.
To their credit, much-loved coach Ricardo Gareca inspired his team again after the break.
Kasper Schmeichel – one of five English-based players to feature for the Scandinavians – denied Edison Flores and Peru an immediate response moments after Poulsen’s goal as the South Americans, always capable of causing problems, rediscovered their identity.
Then Poulsen proved equally important at the back to flick the ball clear on the line under pressure from Guerrero; Guerrero headed straight at Schmeichel. Guerrero’s backheel rolled agonisingly wide; Jefferson Farfan’s goal-bound shot was blocked on the line by Schmeichel. That elusive equaliser which Peru deserved would not arrive – a combination of profligate finishing and dogged Danish defending saw to that.
Nicolai Jorgensen nearly added a second in a rare Danish counter-attack, denied by the legs of Luis Advincula, as Peru’s failure to finish proved costly.
It was an unhappy ending in a stadium dominated by Peruvians, but they can take credit for this showing.
How they bounce back now will be key.
Key statistics
It’s only day three, but more penalties have been missed in the World Cup so far than the whole of the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
Five penalty kicks have already been awarded in the seven matches so far in the tournament.
This was the first meeting between the Danish and Peruvian national sides in a full international.
Schmeichel, whose father Peter inspired Denmark to European Championship glory in 1992, has now kept five successive clean sheets for Denmark.
What’s next?
Both these nations could still progress, however unlikely, and World Cup 2018 betting offers attractive odds.
Denmark take on Australia at the Samara Arena on June 21 when they could realistically clinch a place in the Last 16. Hours later, Peru will meet Group C favourites France at the Central Stadium in Yekaterinburg.
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