Another Mile Jedinak penalty (39’) after a handball by Yussuf Poulsen levelled Christian Eriksen's early strike (7’).

Australia knew that they were facing a stiff challenge.

With the exception of a couple of friendlies not recognised by FIFA it had been 18 months and 16 matches since the Danes last tasted defeat in a 1-0 loss to Montenegro. A run that had seen them climb to 12th in the FIFA rankings.

Denmark had been forced to make one change. Midfielder William Kvist broke two ribs in the 1-0 win over Peru and his replacement Lasse Schone started the match.

Bert van Marwijk chose the same starting eleven that took to the field in the 2-1 defeat to France in the opening match. Despite the defeat they had impressed and he was looking for a similar performance but had asked them to create more goal scoring opportunities.

Initially it was Australia that was under pressure with Thomas Delaney heading an early chance wide of the far post following a cross from Pione Sisto.

In the fifth minute the Socceroos responded when Tommy Rogic earned a corner and Mathew Leckie's header from Aaron Mooy’s delivery flew just over the crossbar.

Two minutes later and Denmark took the lead. Nicolai Jorensen flicked a pass through to Christian Eriksen who ran unmarked into the box and fired past Mat Ryan from 15 metres out.


It was an ominous sign for the Socceroos but it turned out that it would be one of only a few chances that the Danes were to create.

Denmark knew that Australia would go into the match with a well organised defensive structure and initially they countered it with plenty of movement and switching positions between the defensive lines.

In the 22nd minute Sisto tried his luck from distance but Ryan had no problem covering the attempt. Moments later and Rogic fired a shot wide at the other end.

Denmark should have gone two-up two minutes later. Henrik Dalsgaard put over a perfect cross from the left that Jorgensen headed wide from six metres out when he should have buried the chance.

Robbie Kruse could have equalised in the 30th minute after excellent work by Leckie down the right but his first touch was too heavy and the opportunity was smothered by the Danish defence.

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had worked against Australia in their opening match against France but in the 36th minute they got a break. Leckie met another Mooy corner with a header but his marker, Poulsen, had thrown an arm in the air and the ball struck it. Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz waved play on but soon got a message that he should check his decision. He changed his mind and Jedinak coolly slotted home the spot-kick.

Poulsen was cautioned for the offence and will miss Denmark’s final group match.

It was the first goal that Kasper Schmeichel had conceded in 571 minutes.

The only other scare for Australia in the first half came four minutes before half-time when an Eriksen free-kick struck Trent Sainsbury on the leg but the ball fell kindly to a grateful Ryan.

Leckie was having one of his best games for his country causing problems when running with the ball and his movement off it.