Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live 2018 World Cup coverage continues from Samara as Denmark face Australia in Group C. Denmark opened their Group C campaign with a 1-0 win over Peru last time out, while Australia suffered a 2-1 defeat to France. A win for Denmark in this match would not actually see them guarantee their spot in the next round of the competition, but it would leave them in a very strong position indeed. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action!

This afternoon's match will be just the fourth meeting between Denmark and Australia in international football, and it will be their first ever competitive clash. Indeed, each of their three previous meetings have been friendlies, and Denmark lead the head-to-head two wins to Australia's one. Their last fixture came back in June 2012, with Denmark recording a 2-0 success.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Samara. Has Denmark boss Age Hareide shuffled his pack here? What about Australia, any changes from the France clash? Let's run through the two lineups for this Group C encounter...

TEAMS!

DEN: Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Larsen; Delaney, Schone; Poulsen, Eriksen, Sisto; N.Jorgensen

AUS: Ryan; Risdon, Milligan, Sainsbury, Behich; Jedinak, Rogic, Mooy; Kruse, Nabbout, Leckie

Denmark's team shows one change from their 1-0 win over Peru last time out - Lasse Schone replacing William Kvist, who picked up a rib injury in his country's World Cup opener. Pione Sisto, Christian Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen will support Nicolai Jorgensen in the final third once again.

© Reuters

Australia boss Bert van Marwijk, meanwhile, has selected the same XI that started against France last time out, meaning that Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic will again line up in a three-man midfield. Andrew Nabbout leads the line, with Tim Cahill and Jamie Maclaren on the bench.

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in this World Cup fixture. It should be a very interesting game of football. Let me just run through the current situation in Group B. France and Denmark both have three points on the board, but France sit at the summit on goal difference, with Australia in third and Peru down in fourth spot.

#DEN vs #AUS

Let us know your score predictions below 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/4BIMD3KxLb — Football FanCast (@FootballFanCast) June 21, 2018

A win for Denmark here would not actually guarantee their spot in the knockout round, but that would be the case if Peru draw or lose against France later this afternoon. France are through if they win, meanwhile, and Australia draw or lose this one. As for Australia, they will be eliminated with a defeat if France draw or beat Peru in their clash later this afternoon. Got it? Good!

A lot of things would have to go against Denmark to prevent them from qualifying if they were to win this match, but Australia will have something to say about that. As mentioned, Denmark opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over Peru - Yussuf Poulsen scoring the only goal of the match.

Denmark reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup, and also made it to the knockout round of the competition in 2002. They failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup before falling in the group stages of the 2010 tournament, however, and did not actually qualify for the 2014 competition.

#DENAUS // Formations... pic.twitter.com/GQkP4lKYMi — FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 21, 2018

France will fancy their chances of topping the group, but a win for Denmark in this match would place them in a very strong position. It would also take the pressure off ahead of their final Group C clash with France next week. That is the value of winning your first match, as England will know.

As for Australia, a victory this afternoon puts them right back in contention for a spot in the knockout stage. Van Marwijk's team matched France for long spells of their clash at the weekend, but lost to a late deflection. The Socceroos were also on the end of a dodgy penalty call in that match.

It seems incredible that Australia have only been past the group stage of a World Cup on one previous occasion, which occurred at the 2006 competition – reaching the round of 16 on German soil. They fell in the group stage of the 2010 and 2014 competition, and are facing elimination this afternoon.

30 - @Tom_Rogic has made more total shots (30) and more shots on target (11) than any other @Socceroos player across the last 12 months. Vigour.#GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/LGIJLlo1Iu — OptaJason (@OptaJason) June 21, 2018

That said, a win for Australia this afternoon would leave them very much in the argument ahead of their final Group C clash with Peru on June 26. It is a huge game between two teams who will fancy their chances of picking up all three points, and the atmosphere continues to build here.

Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in this Group C clash. Can Denmark move onto six points in the section, or will Australia put a huge three points on the board ahead of the final matchday? Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action.

KICKOFF! Denmark kick things off this afternoon...

... the Australia supporters are again in fine voice this afternoon. Paul Pogba spoke of the atmosphere that the Australians provided during the clash with France, and that is again on show in the early stages of this match. Eriksen delivers an early free kick into the Australia box, but it is cleared.

Half-chance for Denmark as Delaney meets a deep cross from Sisto, but the midfielder's header was always dropping wide of the post. Australia are being forced to defend early on here.

First sign of life from Australia as Nabbout collects a long pass before feeding Rogic, but the midfielder's effort is deflected wide of the post. Excellent hold-up work from Nabbout there.

CHANCE! Leckie heads a Mooy corner over the Denmark crossbar!

Oh my word! Stunning strike from Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eriksen as he absolutely flashes the ball past Ryan into the back of the net! It dropped kindly for Eriksen, and he fired home!

Australia just need to be careful that this match does not get away from them. Eriksen seems in the mood for Denmark this afternoon as he continues to pull the strings in the final third.

18 - Christian Eriksen has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 15 appearances for Denmark (13 goals, 5 assists). Pivotal. #DEN #DENAUS #WorldCup — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 21, 2018

Not too much from Australia at the moment as Denmark continue to dominate the ball. Having had a second look at Eriksen's goal, there was a wonderful flick from Jorgensen in the move.

Australia just cannot get out of their own half here as Denmark pass and move in the final third. Sisto, Eriksen and Poulsen are all seeing lots of the ball, while Jorgensen looks sharp in attack.

The Mexican wave is going around the stadium, but that is not a fair reflection on the match! It has been an entertaining game thus far, and there is no question that Denmark deserve to lead.

Not the best game at the moment as Denmark keep the ball without going anywhere.

Just a reminder that a win for Denmark would not guarantee their spot in the next round, but it would leave them in a very strong position. Peru would have to beat France later this afternoon for Denmark not to qualify with a win in this match, and that would be an incredible shock.

SAVE! Ryan keeps out a long-range strike from Sisto.

Half-chance for Australia this time as Rogic works some space in a forward position before striking towards goal, but the ball was always moving wide of the post. Still 1-0 Denmark here.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Denmark to double their lead as Dalsgaard delivers a stunning cross onto the head of Jorgensen, but the number nine somehow sends his effort wide!

Better from Australia in the last couple of minutes as they ask some questions of the Denmark defence with some crosses into the box. The Socceroos need more from Leckie and Kruse here.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Denmark lead courtesy of a wonderful strike from Eriksen. As it stands, Australia would be all but out of the competition. Still a lot of football to be played in this one, however, and the Socceroos currently have possession of the ball.

CHANCE! Kruse has a shot blocked inside the Denmark box following excellent work from Leckie in a wide position. Much, much better from Australia in the last couple of minutes.

Schone has come into the Denmark team this afternoon in place of the injured Kvist, and the number 19 has been impressive in the middle of the park; a lot is going through him here.

Kruse floats another cross into the Denmark box, and Australia increase their corner count.

Leckie again meets a corner from Mooy, but Denmark have enough bodies behind the ball. There was a call for handball in there, but the referee waved play on. It may be checked though...

... VAR is in play. The referee is checking it!

BOOKING! Poulsen (Denmark) is carded for the handball inside the box!

Jedinak sends the ball into the back of the net for his second penalty of the tournament!

SAVE! Smart hands from Ryan as the Australia goalkeeper gets down to collect a loose ball inside his own box following a wonderful free kick from Eriksen once again.

It must be said that the first half of this match has absolutely flown past. Denmark were the better team early on and deserved to take the lead, but the response from Australia was very positive.

Possession football from Denmark as we approach the half-time interval here.

We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Denmark took an early lead through Eriksen, but Australia levelled the scores from the penalty spot late in the half. It has been a very open and entertaining game of football in Samara.

STATISTICS! Australia just shaded the first-half possession with 55%, while they had seven attempts, but just one of those - the equaliser - was on target. Denmark had five attempts in the first half - three of which were on target. Just the one booking to report - Poulsen for handball.

BENCH WATCH! Australia have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Arzani, Cahill, Irvine, Maclaren and Luongo certainly capable of making a difference. Denmark, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Braithwaite, Dolberg, Fischer and Krohn-Dehli.

RESTART! Australia resume the action here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both manages will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.

Leckie continues to make things happen for Australia, but an unlucky deflection sees the ball bounce off the attacker and behind for a Denmark goal kick. This one is bubbling along nicely!

You do get the feeling that the next goal in this match - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Neither team is really in control at the moment as play goes from end to end.

CHANCE! Big chance for Denmark to take the lead as Jorgensen finds Sisto with a clever flick inside the Australia box, but the attacker fires the ball just wide of the post!

CHANCE! Leckie looks to meet a deep cross from the left, but Larsen does really well to clear under pressure. End-to-end football with 54 minutes on the clock here.

Pressure from Denmark in the last few moments as they force corner after corner.

Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and a draw would not be the worst result in the world for Denmark, especially considering that Peru take on France later this afternoon.

DENMARK SUB! Poulsen is replaced by Braithwaite for Denmark.

Braithwaite's first involvement sees the number 11 find space down the right before delivering, but Rogic makes the clearance. Still no movement on the Australia bench with 61 minutes played.

Rogic turns away from Schone before releasing Leckie, but the attacker's touch is too strong!

Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with both teams guilty of losing the ball in forward positions. It is so finely balanced with 65 minutes on the clock.

Denmark are finding it difficult to pick their way through this Australian defence.

Smart defending from Dalsgaard to cut out a pass from Rogic which was intended for Mooy.

Leckie flashes a low cross into the Denmark box following poor goalkeeping from Schmeichel, but Denmark manage to clear their lines. Both teams are preparing to make changes here.

DENMARK SUB! Cornelius replaces Jorgensen for Denmark.

AUSTRALIA SUB! Arzanai replaces Kruse for Australia.

CLOSE! Mooy just misses the target with a strike from outside the Denmark box!

SAVE! Schmeichel gets down to keep out a strike from Rogic!

This does not look good for Australia forward Nabbout, who might have dislocated his shoulder here. There is no way that the striker will be able to continue in this game.

AUSTRALIA SUB! Juric replaces the injured Nabbout.

Schmeichel keeps out an attempt from Leckie as Australia threaten once again.

Leckie heads towards the Denmark goal once again, but it never had enough power to beat Schmeichel. Still 1-1, but chances are coming at both ends of the field here.

Arzani flashes a low cross into the Denmark box, but there are no takers. Australia are looking the team more likely to win it at the moment, with Denmark not creating much of note.

AUSTRALIA SUB! Irvine replaces Rogic for Australia.

BOOKING! Sisto (Denmark) is booked for dissent.

Quite a scrappy game at the moment as both teams look for a late winner in this clash.

Denmark are currently passing and probing in Australia's half of the field here.

SAVES! Schmeichel makes a smart save to deny Arzani, before Leckie tests the Leicester goalkeeper with yet another header. Two good chances for the Socceroos there.

Eriksen flashes the ball wide of the post with a speculative volley, and we are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match. The points are being shared as things stand here.

Denmark deliver yet another corner into the Australia box, but Ryan collects a weak attempt from Braithwaite. It does appear that the points are going to be shared in this match.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. Denmark move to the top of the group on four points, but Australia are still alive in the competition ahead of the final matchday. Now it is France's turn, and you can also follow live coverage of that one right here on Sports Mole. Until next time!