Opponent Watch: Denmark suffer Bendtner injury blow

Nicklas Bendtner’s chances of featuring at the 2018 FIFA World Cup are in doubt while France enjoyed their official team photo shoot as the tournament in Russia nears.

There was also a friendly win for Argentina as the host nation fell flat in a pre-tournament friendly.

It's all in Opponent Watch!

DENMARK

Nicklas Bendtner’s FIFA World Cup place is in doubt after the veteran forward sustained a suspected groin injury on the weekend.

The Rosenberg striker limped off the field in tears late in the second half during the Norwegian side’s 2-1 league loss to Brann on Sunday, with L’Equipe suggesting Bendtner could be set for a four-week spell on the sidelines.

Bendtner’s potential absence would be a blow for the Caltex Socceroos Group C opponents, with coach Age Hareide confirming he will not take Bendtner if he is not fully fit to play.

"If a player is injured when they leave for the World Cup, then he does not come to Russia," Hareide said.

"It's never good to fight the clock. We do not have much time.”

Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner has reportedly picked up an injury

The 30-year-old has scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the national side and has featured in six of Denmark’s last seven matches, leading the line in the side’s most recent friendly fixture against Chile in March.

The former Arsenal forward has scored eight goals in 24 matches for Rosenberg this season and will undergo scans on Monday.

Australia take on Denmark in their second Group C fixture on Thursday 21 June, kick off 10.00pm.

FRANCE

Following their 2-0 friendly win over Ireland on Tuesday, France took some time out from training to pose for official World Cup photographs at their base in Clairefontaine.

Didier Deschamps’ men will continue their World Cup preparations against Italy this Saturday morning in Nice.

ARGENTINA, RUSSIA RESULTS

World Cup hosts Russia suffered another setback in their preparation for the tournament after going down 1-0 to Austria in Innsbruck.

Schalke midfielder Alessandro Schopf clinched a first half goal to inflict a third successive loss for the tournament hosts, who have failed to register a win since their 4-2 defeat of South Korea back in November.

In South America, Lionel Messi’s hattrick helped Argentina defeat Haiti 4-0 in Buenos Aires as the 2014 World Cup finalists continued their arrangements for Russia.

Sergio Aguero netted the other goal on the night for Argentina on an evening of milestones with Javier Mascherano joining legend Javier Zanetti as the country’s most-capped player.

Argentina face a final warm up fixture before commencing their World Cup against Group D opponents Iceland on Saturday 16th of June.

Meanwhile, World Cup debutants Panama secured a goalless draw against Northern Ireland.