One of the Socceroos’ Group C opponents, Denmark, are up against top CONCACAF qualifier Mexico on Sunday morning, 3:50am (AEST). Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match.
In this final warm-up game for both Denmark and Mexico both teams will be eager to add some polish to their approaches against tournament-ready opposition.
The Mexican team have had a torrid week off the pitch. No need to elaborate on that here, but 90 minutes of energetic football to win back the hearts of their mostly confused nation is exactly what they need.
Denmark will be eager to arrest back some momentum in a preparation that has been subdued to say the least.
A recent 0-0 draw with Sweden has many Australian pundits writing them off as the easier of potential Socceroo wins.
Star playmaker Christian Eriksen was rested for the Sweden game, and Denmark will be eager to get gametime into this legs, and to execute their plan A of playing through him.
Denmark’s first World Cup game against Peru will arguably have the biggest say on their chances to go through, so a battle-ready overture against Mexico will be essential.
Mexico’s first opponent will be Germany, and they will go into that game with nothing to lose in quite a competitive group including Sweden and South Korea.
The Mexicans will be treating this warm up as an opportunity to both save face and find their groove.
Prediction
As both teams will be fine-tuning their tactical approaches and personnel before the main dance, there will be a focus on possession and movement but not necessarily finishing.
Anticipate an even game, with a couple of walk-in goals. 1-1
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
After 90 minutes Denmark leave Brøndby Stadium victorious, defeating Mexico 2-0. It was a game won by a short but scintillating period from the Danes who scored twice in a handful of minutes to take the game away from Mexico. In a 10 minute spell midway through the second half, Denmark took control of the middle third. Christian Eriksen was able to find the space he needs to create and finish goals with precision. On the counter Denmark were ruthless. The first goal, scored by Yussuf Poulsen, was of the highest quality: a cut back on the edge of the box perfectly curled inside the far post outside of the reach of Mexican keeper Ochoa. The second goal was a vintage Eriksen display. Played into the box with his opponent offering him too much space, he toyed with Ochoa with his left before sneaking it through the near side on his right. In the space of a few minutes Denmark went from weather-beaten to runaway victors. Mexico spent the bulk of the evening running at Denmark's back four with their tricky, quick and skillfull wide players lead by Jesus Corona. But Denmark were able to weather those runs by sitting deep and forcing Mexico's final ball to be inch perfect. Mexico's lack of a top-drawer target man was clear, and in the World Cup proper they will need to rely on more than the trickery of a couple of players to score goals. For long periods Mexico seemed to control this game, but when it really mattered Denmark's midfield found the pockets of space that top-quality sides need to put teams away. Man of the match must be Eriksen. There were long periods where he wasn't present or wasn't involved, but when he is he influences games like few can in this World Cup. Denmark's Group C opponents, which includes the Socceroos, should treat this performance with alarm. Defensive and central midfield shape will be essential for 90 minutes. As Mexico discovered, World Cup opponents will quickly recognise their switch-offs, errors or open pockets will be deadly.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
FULLTIME in Brøndby - DENMARK 2 - MEXICO 0 In a 10 minute burst Denmark went from the back to the front foot and took this game out of Mexico's reach.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
90'+3' SAVE FROM SCHMEICHEL. Fabian cuts onto his left at the edge of the box but hits a ferocious shot at the the Danish keeper
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
90' SUBSTITUTION: Christian Eriksen exits after a glorious 10minutes of football that must surely have ensured Denmark of the win
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
90' JUST WIDE for Mexico. Fabian's long range effort is just over the crossbar
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
89' Corona hobbling off the ground after spending a lot of time on the turf. It would be a shame if he picked up a material injury tonight after a cracking game
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
88' Eriksen on the counter making two Mexican defenders collapse comically before reinforcements come to stop his run.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Mexico are trying to bring some swagger back into this game through Corona, but Denmark's deep lying defence are not going to be easy to break down.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
84' a MAGICAL floated cross in from Corona (Mexico) at the near post is nearly tapped in by Chicharito who can't quite get the angles right. Corona is one player who has earned his appearance fee tonight.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
83' Mexico finally able to get some prolonged time on the ball. Alas a tame through-ball to no one but Schmeichel alleviates the pressure for Denmark
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
80' Injury break - Poulsen (Denmark) is walking a knock to the ankles off. He looks like he'll be subbed off. Fischer is on now for Denmark for the goalscorer.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
It took 70 minutes for Denmark to unlock Mexico, but once the ball gets through Mexico's midfield 3 Denmark are loaded with class and passing combinations.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
78' Denmark heaping on more pressure. The turn in the central channel projecting the ball wide for the cross which Poulsen can't quite point on target.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
76' Denmark are all over Mexico! Another Eriksen shot at the top of the box is deflected wide for a corner. A nervy Mexican defence clear - just.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
76' An optimistic shot wide for Mexico, who will be rattled after a blistering 5 minutes from Denmark.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
74 GOAL DENMARK! Wow, another vintage Eriksen moment. He makes a run from an epic throw forward and once he's behind the defenders it's all over for Mexico as he buries it past Ochoa. Denmark now lead 2-0
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
71' GOAL!!! what a scorcher from Poulsen! Eriksen twists and turns and plays a ball to Poulsen who cuts back and whomps a curling ball into the back post with this left foot. A real touch of class to break the deadlock
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
70' YELLOW CARD to Layun (Mexico) for a clumsy lunge
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
69' CORNER to Mexico - won from yet another frantic Danish clearance. The ball-in is headed tamely wide by Marquez.
Lucas Gillard
Roar Guru
Denmark are being pushed back into their box frequently by Mexico's skillful and quick wide players. Mexico's front 3 are rotating and the Danes are sitting back to prevent balls in behind