DENMARK are dominating possession but have not yet found a way to break down Australia in a crucial clash as it is level at half-time.
Riley McGree tested Kasper Schmeichel in the first-half but neither side have broken the deadlock.
Jackson Irvine has come the closest in the second period, with Australia looking to open the scoring as the midfielder fired over the bar from inside the box.
- Kick-off: 3pm GMT
- TV channel: BBC TWO
- Live stream: BBC iPlayer
- Group D: LIVE TABLE
- Australia XI: Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Irvine, Mooy; Leckie, McGree, Goodwin; Duke
- Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Jensen; Olsen, Eriksen, Lindstrom; Braithwaite
- Preview: How Australia and Denmark can qualify for the last-16
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Australia 0-0 Denmark
48. Denmark bring the ball forward but lose the ball too easily.
McGree crosses to Irvine but his shot goes over the bar.
Much better football by The Socceroos.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
46. Now we have the first 45 minutes out of the way, this game should get more exciting the closer we move to the full time whistle.
This is the business end of the group stages, qualification is at risk.
Australia have an early corner which causes problems in the box, as a shot comes in it is headed away for another corner.
Credit: Getty Kick-off: Australia 0-0 Denmark
The Socceroos get the second half started.
Big half of football for both teams ahead.
Baccus comes on for Goodwin for Australia.
Bah is on for Kristensen for Denmark.
HT: Australia 0-0 Denmark
Everything that Denmark do well comes through Christian Eriksen, meaning he is often targeted by opponent’s tactical set ups.
The Danes need to work harder to find him the ball, draw the opposition on and create pocket of space for him to use.
To stand any hope of scoring, their playmaker needs more involvement.
Inside the ground – half time analysis
SunSport’s Andy Dillon reports from the Al-Janoub Stadium:
DENMARK are sleepwalking out of the World Cup.
Five shots in the first half with two on target but there is something decidedly downbeat about the performance.
Australia are frightened to commit forwards and Denmark have forgotten how to win at the World Cup.
They have drawn four and lost one of their last five WC matches – last beating Peru in Russia 2018.
HT: Australia 0-0 Denmark
Neither side have really created much to work the opposition keeper in that first half.
The Socceroos seemed to come into the game more in the final fifteen minutes of the half.
The shots we have seen have been routine saves for the keepers.
HT: Australia 0-0 Denmark
The referee brings the first half to a close.
Nothing to separate the two teams at the break.
As it stands, Australia would progress to the last 16.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
45. We are going to three days of added time.
Not quite, just the two minutes.
Australia press forward looking to get a cheeky late goal to take into the half time interval with them.
Denmark’s defence is like a Lego wall, solid and not something you would want to step on.
Credit: Getty Australia 0-0 Denmark
43. Australia have looked much better in the last fifteen minutes, offering more attacking threat.
That has caused the game to become more open.
Lindstrom cuts in from the left and looks to cross with the outside of his right foot and Ryan collects.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
41. Skov Olsen is looking dangerous when on the ball.
Denmark’s issue is that they are not getting him the ball enough.
Ryan takes his time with the goal kick, his tactic for most of this half.
Let’s hope VAR are not adding this time on or none of us may get home this evening.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
39. The aim for Australia will be to ensure they are on at least level terms by half time.
Eriksen gives the ball away and offers the chance for The Socceroos to come forward.
More keen to keep the ball than do something with it, McGree crosses but the delivery is poor.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
37. The problem both of these teams have, it sounds like from the reports of the other game that Tunisia are dominating France, with Les Bleus yet to have a shot on goal.
That makes things awkward for both teams here.
They need to play to win in case of an African goal.
Credit: Getty Australia 0-0 Denmark
35. Australia are spending a lot of time in their own half.
They win the ball and look to go direct but Leckie could not bring the ball under his spell.
He tried to pull it out of the air and it nearly set him through on goal.
Close.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
33. This will be mission accomplished so far for Australia.
Providing France do not lose to Tunisia, this would see The Socceroos through.
Denmark are having the lion’s share of possession but are struggling to create any clean-cut chances.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
31. Lindstrom is seeing more and more of the ball.
He is working well with Maehle down the left hand side.
Aaron Mooy is having to cover a lot of ground to support in these situations.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
29. Australia are trying to offer more of a threat in the attacking third now.
Schmeichel has yet to be really tested.
Denmark are looking to stretch the Australian defence with direct balls to the wide men.
Credit: Getty Australia 0-0 Denmark
27. In their two previous group games, Australia have started the strongest having led against France and Tunisia.
They have not looked like that team in the opening stages of this game.
Denmark are looking the far more threatening.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
25. Australia are defending deep to every last man.
This time Aaron Mooy makes a challenge and tries to clear.
Denmark come straight back at them and Skov Olsen gets a shot off at goal but scuffs it slightly and Ryan easily saves.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
23. Denmark need to manage their physicality at set pieces.
They are already giving away far too many free kicks.
It gives Australia the chance to take a breather.
McGree fires a shot of from distance but Schmeichel saves with ease.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
21. That was good goalkeeping by Matt Ryan.
Denmark are dominating the early stages but it is clear to see that Australia plan a counter-attacking style.
The Socceroos need to keep things tight at the back for that game plan to bring them a result.
Credit: PA Australia 0-0 Denmark
19. Leckie comes forward on a rare counter attack and the fans liven up immediately.
They look to come forward quickly, but the final pass is lacking.
Denmark counter and the ball is cut back from the byline and Ryan is forced to make two good saves to get the ball clear.
Australia 0-0 Denmark
17. The Danes have got a great record of getting out of the groups.
Four out of five times they have made the knockout rounds.
Denmark play a good passing game, when they look to get forward, it is good to watch.
Australia 0-0 Denmark – Skov Olsen chance
15. The Socceroos are having to weather a storm here.
This time Skov Olsen looks to get a shot off on goal but again it is well blocked and ricochets off the Denmark man.
Australia are struggling to get out of their own half right now.
Australia 0-0 Denmark – Ryan save
13. Matt Ryan does brilliantly to tip an effort over the bar.
It is at his near post so he should save it but it was struck with some venom by Jensen.
Denmark have started the more positive.
Credit: Getty Australia 0-0 Denmark
11. The good news for Socceroo fans is that VAR has ruled out that Tunisian goal.
That is the fun with the final matchday, things can change in the group standings in an instant.
Denmark get a ball into the box and Lindstrom meets it but Degenek does brilliantly to block the shot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
