Denmark head into the match buoyed by spectacular performances at Euro 2020 and the Nations League.
Earlier World Cup appearances: 1986, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2018
Titles: 0
Greatest end: Quarter-finals (1998)
World Cup file: W9 D5 L6
World Cup objectives: 30
Largest win: 6-1 vs Uruguay (1986)
Participant to look at: Christian Eriksen
Rating: 10
Group stage fixtures: Tunisia (November 22), France (November 26), Australia (November 30)
There's a distinct air of optimism surrounding the Danish staff heading to Qatar.
Final 12 months, it demonstrated exceptional tenacity in recovering from an opening-day defeat to Finland within the delayed 2020 European Championships, a recreation marred by the on-field cardiac arrest suffered by their star participant, Christian Eriksen.
The identical staff would attain the semi-finals, the place it might ultimately be knocked out by a controversial extra-time Harry Kane penalty.
This 12 months, the Danes have recorded spectacular leads to the Nations League, together with two wins over present world champions France. FIFA at present ranks them tenth on this planet.
‘Danish Dynamite’
For a rustic of fewer than six million individuals, Denmark’s males’s nationwide soccer staff has punched above its weight.
The staff, and the nation, introduced themselves on the world stage within the ’80s and ’90s, incomes the nickname “Danish Dynamite” and choosing up a bronze within the 1984 European Championships earlier than ultimately profitable the match in 1992.
It was additionally throughout this era that a number of Danish gamers broke onto the worldwide scene, together with the Laudrup brothers, who between them gained 5 La Liga titles and two Seria A titles, in addition to Peter Schmeichel, broadly thought-about top-of-the-line goalkeepers of all time.
Nevertheless, success on the European Championships didn't translate to the World Cup. The Danes first certified for the match in 1984 however would solely make it previous the spherical of 16 as soon as in 1998 after they had been overwhelmed by a star-studded Brazil staff 3-2 in a scintillating quarter-final.
Mixture of expertise, new expertise
The present Danish squad boasts a wholesome stability of expertise and thrilling new expertise.
In aim, they've the ever-reliable Kasper Schmeichel, who performs for Premier League facet Leicester Metropolis and is the son of legend Peter.
At centre again, Denmark’s supervisor Kasper Hjulmand will seemingly decide the tried-and-tested duo of AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer and FC Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen. Joakim Mæhle, the Atalanta full-back who impressed throughout the 2020 European Championships along with his trademark lung-bursting runs down the touchline and exact passing, can also be anticipated to make the beginning XI.
In defensive midfield, Denmark can name on their stalwart Thomas Delaney, who at present plies his commerce for Spanish facet Sevilla. He shall be joined by Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Kordt Højbjerg and Manchester United’s Eriksen.
Upfront Hjulmand has recurrently fielded Kasper Dolberg, a 25-year-old ahead at present on mortgage at Sevilla. Mikkel Damsgaard, who performs for Premier League facet Brentford, will seemingly be deployed as a standard winger on the left facet. Veteran striker Martin Braithwaite, who not too long ago moved from FC Barcelona to rivals Espanyol, can also be more likely to make an look.
Denmark ought to progress from Group D, which incorporates Australia, France and Tunisia.
They will draw confidence from latest victories over France and can fancy themselves towards Australia.
Tunisia might show formidable opposition relying on what staff turns up on the day. The Eagles of Carthage have skilled an unpredictable type of late, reaching the 2021 Arab Cup Closing however then crashing out of the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals to Burkina Faso a month later.
If Denmark progress as runners-up in Group D, they may face Argentina, one of many match’s favourites.
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