Morning all, and here we go again. I'd love to regale you with tales and predictions of derring--do, but we're wise to this now. This is going to be another portion of circumspection because that's generally how group stages are and particularly how these teams are. Australia can't afford to lose and know that if France beat Peru, their decisive game will be against a team already out, while Denmark will want to reduce the chaos to allow their class to prevail and take them through. Still, it's Thursday lunchtime and it's football, and their ain't no C in that.
World Cup / Group Stage
Solidarity Samara Arena / 21.06.2018
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- C. Eriksen(7')
- M. Jedinak(38' PEN)
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 21/06/2018 at 13:52 GMT
1'
Denmark set us away!
12:59
There are 12,000 Australia fans in the ground, apparently, which is a decent effort. Denmark have a fair selection too, so though the ground isn't full, we should hopefully enjoy a decent row.
12:56
Advance Australia Fair is almost a banger. Like everything, it needs a jungle remix, but after that we'd be there.
12:56
Mile Jedinak can't sing. You guessed that.
12:54
12:53
Here come the players! I'm pleased to report that Jon Champion and Ally McCoist will be resuming their ill-informed but comforting bromance.
12:50
What is blockchain? Yes, a further necessarily rhetorical question.
12:46
In the studio, they're debating whether Rashford or Sterling should start for England v Panama. I like both, but lean Rashford because he's got the gift of timing.
12:45
12:42
Marcus Rashford seems a phenomenally grounded and pleasant young man. It's quite disgusting.
12:41
Yes! ITV are "with the England camp"!
12:37
Fan culture at its best.
12:32
Apparently Australia plan to stop the supply to Eriksen, and I guess one way of doing that would be to dominate midfield. The question for both of these sides is who's going to score their goals. That one is going to stay rhetorical, because I've no idea.
12:29
Oooh clever clever. Decent top, that.
12:26
I mentioned Eriksen just before, and it's worth noting that he more or less hauled Denmark through their playoff by himself. Australia have more going for them than Ireland do, and surely have a plan to stop that happening to them. What I'm saying is that I have just wagered a small sum on Australia to win at odds that I deemed to be generous.
12:21
Football is magic.
12:20
Has someone wrapped sticky tape around the middle of Mile Jedinak's head?
12:19
Just what I was thinking.
12:15
Australia are a strong, physical team with some class in midfield - Mooy, Jedinak and Rogic are a better three than Denmark have ... except Denmark have Christian Eriksen, the best player on either side, and by far. If Australia can do a job on him, I'd not be at all surprised to see them sneak this, in yet another low-scorer.
12:15
I don't know.
12:14
What's worse? Rhetorical questions or people answering their own questions?