“Danish Dynamite” with an opening win

Bundesliga professional Yussuf Poulsen gave Denmark a successful World Cup debut and thoroughly spoiled Peru's return to the world football stage after 36 years. One day after his 24th birthday, the RB Leipzig attacker scored the winning goal for a happy 1-0 (0-0) win in Saransk on Saturday. In front of 40.502 spectators in the Mordowia Arena, Poulsen scored in the 59th minute after an assist from Tottenham star Christian Eriksen. The South Americans proved to be equal opponents with substitute Paolo Guerrero, but missed their best chances and missed a penalty kick by Christian Cueva shortly before the break (45th + 1).

Peru initially started their first World Cup game since the preliminary round exit in Spain in 1982 without the former Hamburg and Munich Guerrero with commitment and offensive enthusiasm. His country's 34-year-old record shooter, whose doping ban was only lifted by the Swiss Federal Court shortly before the World Cup, initially just sat on the bench. The Peruvians still had the first big chance of the game. In the 13th minute, attacker Andre Carrillo tested Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel with a shot from the corner of the penalty area. After the very active opening quarter of an hour of the South American champions in 1939 and 1975, Denmark only slowly got into the game a little better.

The future Dortmund player Thomas Delaney tried unsuccessfully from a distance (27th). A little later, William Kvist had to leave the field after a collision with former Schalke player Jefferson Farfán. Lasse Schöne (36th) came on for Kvist, who had the best chance to take the lead just three minutes after being substituted on. But Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese fended off the dropkick in the follow-up.

Peru better – but not rewarding Overall, the Peruvians, who had been unbeaten for 15 games, were the better team in the first half. However, they miserably missed the opportunity for reward. After a foul by Poulsen on Cueva, referee Papa Bakary Gassama from Gambia decided on a penalty after the intervention of the German video assistant Felix Zwayer - which the fouled man shot well over the goal (45th + 1).

After the change, the 1992 European champions intensified their offensive efforts. Danish star Eriksen also now acted more conspicuously. Before the opening goal, he played well to Leipzig's Poulsen, who beat Gallese with his low shot. After just over an hour, Guerrero was finally allowed to get to it - and promptly had a header chance, which he missed (64'). Peru continued to defend with commitment and had the best opportunities to score.

Guerrero in particular revived the attacking game. With his heel he missed the Danish goal by just centimeters (79'). Schmeichel had to clear several times, including with a foot save against Farfán (84th). But even in five minutes of stoppage time, Peru didn't manage to score again.

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“Danish Dynamite” with an opening win

In the all-important opening game against Peru on Friday evening, Denmark celebrated a narrow and hard-fought 1-0 victory.

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