It was Denmark that created the first opening of the second half. Poulsen’s run into the penalty box ended with him tumbling under a challenge while laying off the ball to Jorgensen but his clever back-flick was hammered wide by Sisto.

Australia’s first dangerous moment of the period came when Aziz Behich made it to the goal line but his cross was cleverly headed away from Leckie by Jens Larsen.

In the 68th minute Australia came close to taking the lead when Schmeichel failed to hold on to a cross which Andrew Nabbout put dangerously back into the six yard box but Dalsgaard was in the right position to clear ahead of Kruse.

In a space of a few minutes there were then a number of chances with both sides coming close to breaking the deadlock. Mooy saw his effort from 25 metres out fly just over the bar and this was followed up moments later by a left foot shot from Rogic that was smothered by Schmeichel.  Australia was on top at that stage but Denmark countered and Sisto’s effort from just inside the penalty area curled past Ryan’s outstretched arms but also past the post.


Nabbout fell awkwardly in the 75th minute and, clutching his shoulder, was immediately replaced by Tommy Juric.

Daniel Arzani had come on for Kruse and showed his lively talent when he managed to get past Sisto on the goal line and put over a dangerous cross but there wasn’t a Socceroo in a position to get the final touch.

Australia almost found the winner in the 88th minute forcing Schmeichel into consecutive saves.  Behich broke down the middle and slotted the ball wide to Arzani who smashed a ball towards goal that the Danish keeper could only beat away.  When the ball was fed into the area again Leckie’s shot was heading towards the corner of the net but lacked the pace needed to beat the Denmark’s number one.

After his early goal Eriksen had found few opportunities but shortly before 90 minutes was completed he found some space, only to pull his shot wide.

It was the last clear chance for either side and ended an enthralling, hard-fought contest.

Australia had taken the game to their much higher ranked opponents during a strong second half performance and fully earned their draw.

They had been looking to gain a win and three points to put themselves in a good position to qualify for the knock-out stages. A draw, though, keeps those hopes alive but means that they must defeat Peru in their final Group C match in Sochi next Wednesday morning to have a chance of progressing.