Peru vs Denmark preview: The potential battle for second place?
Peru are set for a return to the World Cup after a 36-year hiatus.
Their most recent major tournament campaign came long before any of their players were born, and the fans are eagerly awaiting a box-office tournament to reignite football in the nation.
They get their campaign started against Denmark, a country absent from two of the last three competitions.
On paper at least, France look set to dominate Group C.
Below Les Bleus, though, it is difficult to predict how it will pan out. Australia look the supposed underdogs, which means this opener between Peru and Denmark could be pivotal.
Denmark edge the South Americans in terms of the odds, but we all know football is a gulf away from following the favourites.
Eriksen a game-changer?
One thing that makes Denmark a far more dangerous outfit is Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen.
The Danish supporters head into the tournament strongly behind their star man, buoyed by the fact he essentially secured their spot in the World Cup.
His sublime hat-trick against Ireland in the playoff will live long in the memory, and continuing his red-hot form will further propel him to the summit of international football.
He could well be the difference between the two nations in a game that is set to be a cagey one.
The World Cup is often decided by moments of stardust – step forward Andres Iniesta and Mario Gotze – and we have been assured Christian Eriksen can provide those in abundance.
Peru lack that sort of glistening quality in one player, however their unity and spirit may also be a factor on Saturday.
Starved Peruvians
Peru have been frustrated as a nation for 36 years, but the wait is now over.
The South Americans can enjoy the breathtaking spectacle of a World Cup fully behind their country, rather than watching the remainder of the planet illuminate the competition.
They will not want to waste the opportunity, and this opener will gauge whether they are equipped for a return to the biggest stage.
A captain and hungry leader in Pablo Guerrero, touches of class in Andre Carrillo and Jefferson Farfan and an often steady defence make Peru one of the unlikely picks to do well in this tournament.
After such painful patience, Peru need to grasp the opportunity and rekindle the footballing flame that hasn’t burned since 1982.
Prediction: They will be inseparable
Such is the pressure on this opener, which will intensify after France take on Australia earlier in the day, neither side can afford to slip up.
It looks as if they will deploy careful, unexhilarating tactics and that, more often than not, makes for a tight encounter.
I think goals will also be hard to come by, even with Eriksen on the field, and a goalless draw is what I’m going for in this one.
Next: Three dark horses at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Fingers crossed I am wrong…