Wasteful Peru lose 1-0 to Denmark

Denmark began their World Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory against a Peru side that had earlier missed a penalty.

The South Americans were awarded a spot-kick after consultation with the video assistant referee but Christian Cueva, the man fouled, shot over the crossbar.

That miss proved crucial as the Danes hit Peru on the counter-attack in the second half with Christian Eriksen releasing Yussuf Poulsen, who had conceded the penalty, and he fired past Pedro Gallese.

Peru were denied an immediate equaliser when Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel produced a fantastic one-handed save to deny Edison Flores.

Substitute Paolo Guerrero, only able to play after a Swiss tribunal lifted a 14-month drugs ban, backheeled a chance wide as Denmark held on.

It means France top Group C on goals scored after their 2-1 win over Australia as Antoine Griezmann’s penalty, also awarded via VAR, and Paul Pogba’s deflected chip gave Didier Deschamps’ side the three points.

All four teams in the group are in action again on Thursday as Denmark meet Australia in Samara (13:00 BST), before France take on Peru in Ekaterinburg (16:00), BBC reports.