FIFA World Cup Match Preview: Australia v Denmark

This is it. The Socceroos control their destiny going into the final FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Group D match against Denmark on Thursday morning at 2:00am (AEDT).

After Australia secured a gutsy 1-0 triumph over Tunisia in their last outing, the Socceroos are daring to dream heading into its final Group D match against Denmark at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

Standing in the way for a spot in the Round of 16 is 10th-ranked Denmark, who have amassed only one point so far.

It's do or die for Australia and Denmark as World Cup Group D comes to a close with qualification still on the line for both teams.

The Green and Gold currently lie second in the group with three points behind France (six points), who have already qualified for the knockout phase.

The most straightforward but equally difficult equation is to beat the Danes. A win would move the Aussies onto six points and guarantee second place.

However, if we are not victorious, a draw will still be good enough, provided Tunisia does not beat France, due to the Eagles of Carthage boasting a superior goal difference. A loss of course will bring to an end our sixth FIFA World Cup campaign.

While Australia very much controls its own destiny, we face a Denmark side needing to bounce back after a loss to France last time out.

The Euro 2020 semifinalists also failed to secure a victory in their opener against Tunisia, which finished 0-0. However, many will be expecting them to show up in a do-or-die clash. 

While no side picked up more points in UEFA qualification than Kasper Hjulmand's side, previous World Cup form against Denmark gives the Socceroos cause for optimism. 

This will be the second meeting between these two sides at the World Cup after they played out a 1-1 group-stage draw in 2018. Overall, Australia have only beaten Denmark once in four meetings. 

In terms of team news, Graham Arnold revealed that he will leave it until match day to decide on his final starting XI for the match. 

Nathaniel Atkinson missed the win over Tunisia with an ankle knock but could be in contention to return in place for Fran Karacic. Arnold will also have to decide if Ajdin Hrustic is fit to start having returned from injury off the bench in the last outing. 

For Denmark, Thomas Delaney was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a knee injury in their first match against Tunisia while VfL Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind could be in line for an appearance after overcoming a hamstring problem to feature as an unused substitute in Denmark’s first two matches. 

With both teams needing some form of result to qualify for the knockout stages alongside France, it does not get any bigger than this. 

 World ranking

Australia: 38
Denmark: 10

Stat insights

• This will be the second meeting between these two sides at the World Cup after they played out a 1-1 group-stage draw in 2018. Overall, Australia have only beaten Denmark once in four meetings. 
• Australia have lost eight of their prior 11 games against European opposition at the World Cup, failing to keep a clean sheet in every single match.
• After falling to France last time out, Denmark will be looking to avoid recording back-to-back World Cup group-stage defeats for the first time. 

• Australia are aiming to win back-to-back World Cup matches for the first time.

• Against Tunisia, Graham Arnold became the first Australian to coach the national team to
  victory in a FIFA World Cup match.

• Coming into this match, Mathew Leckie and Mathew Ryan are both one appearance away from
  equalling the Australian World Cup appearance record held jointly by Mark Bresciano and Tim
  Cahill (nine).

• Denmark are without a win in their last five FIFA World Cup matches (D4 L1). This is their
  longest winless run in the history of the competition.

•  An appearance for Christian Eriksen would see him move level with Thomas Helveg and
  Michael Laudrup on nine World Cup appearances for Denmark: only Martin Jørgensen has
  made more (11).

How to watch

The match against Denmark will be broadcast live and free on SBS and streamed live on SBS On Demand in Australia.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - Group D Matchday 3

Australia v Denmark
Date: Thursday, 1 December 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 2:00am (AEDT)
Watch: LIVE and FREE on SBS and SBS On Demand

READ MORE: How to watch Australia vs Denmark
READ MORE: Souttar produces phenomenal performance in win against Tunisia
WATCH: Australia 1-0 Tunisia Post-Match Interviews | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

What they said 

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold

“It’s no different to every other game.I have never coached to draw in my life so we’re not going to do that. Again, it’s about going out and being on the front foot like we were for 30 minutes against France and I feel for 60 minutes against Tunisia (we did that).

“That is the message I have been driving to the boys, with the review yesterday, step by step, and I don’t know how people are taking me saying France was a friendly but you know, that’s what I mean, is the improvement, and 30 minutes against France was great, so 30 per cent to 60 per cent against Tunisia, now it’s time for 90 per cent or 100 per cent against Denmark, and making sure we remove any sloppy mistakes.”

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand

“I expect as always a great collective that has qualities. They have strengths in their team, but it’s mostly as a team. They’re a team that works well together and that’s what I see. They’re a well organised football team – they attack together, they defend together. 

“We met them four years ago, it was a tight game, it was a draw. We expect another tight game. They don’t really know if they progress with a draw so they will come out very strong. They will have periods when they put pressure on us, we expect them to run at us and attack.”

Our squad

Arnold announced his 26-man squad on Tuesday, November 8 (AEDT) and selected a squad with a blend of overseas and Australian-based players as Australia look to progress from Group D.

Seventeen players in the squad have never featured at a FIFA World Cup, with many having all experienced their respective senior international debuts post the 2018 edition. It means there is a great opportunity for players to fulfil a childhood dream and represent their country at the pinnacle event in football.

READ MORE: Meet Australia's FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Squad

Socceroos Squad | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™

What happens next?

It all comes down to the final matchday for the Socceroos to progress.

If the Socceroos beat Denmark, they will progress with six points. If the Socceroos draw with Denmark in the final Group D match, a draw will still be good enough, provided Tunisia does not beat France.

The second-placed team from Group D will face the winner of Group C. Poland (4 points) currently sit in first spot in Group C, with Argentina (3 points) second and Saudi Arabia (3 points) third.