Peru vs. Denmark
While France take on Australia at the Kazan Arena, Saturday’s other group C match sees Peru face Denmark at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk (5pm UK time).
Peru skipper Paolo Guerrero, his country’s all-time top goalscorer, is available to play and could start after his drugs ban was overturned last month.
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Quoted by Sky Sports, Peru head coach Ricardo Gareca said: “Whatever happened in the past, Paolo is very, very fit, he is training at a very high level and he really is ready to play.”
Defender Alberto Rodriguez has urged his countrymen to enjoy their World Cup experience and work hard to progress from group C. Rodriguez told Fifa.com: “We have to enjoy this moment because it was really difficult to get here, and we want to do our best to get as far as possible.”
Tottenham star Christian Eriksen will be Denmark’s playmaker and main dangerman at the World Cup. Eriksen scored 11 goals in qualifying and there will be competition to play alongside him with Nicolai Jorgensen and Kasper Dolberg battling to be selected up front.
World Cup group C fixtures
- 16 June: France vs. Australia (11am, BBC); Peru vs. Denmark (5pm, BBC)
- 21 June: Denmark vs. Australia (1pm, ITV); France vs. Peru (4pm, ITV)
- 26 June: Denmark vs. France (3pm, ITV); Australia vs. Peru (3pm, ITV4)
The Danes, and European rivals France, are tipped to qualify from the group and assistant coach Jon Dahl Tomasson believes the first game against Peru is vital.
Tomasson told Fifa.com that Denmark must stick to their game plan: “Mental balance is crucial. The first game is absolutely vital, history has shown this many times. The key is not to change anything from what you usually do.
“You’ve got to be mentally tough and if you stick to the plan and do what you normally do, then you always end up playing a great game, and that is going to give you three points.”