World Cup 2018: VAR helps Australia earn share of spoils after Christian Eriksen touch of class

Denmark 1-1 Australia: The Tottenham star opened the scoring with a delicious strike but the Danes were denied when Mile Jedinak converted from the spot

At the end of this often frantic but frequently low-quality draw, the Denmark players ambled off knowing they are still on course for a longer stay in Russia. Australia, however, wandered around with shoulders slumped, knowing that progression in the World Cup is now no longer in their hands.

This was a must-win game for Australia: defeat would leave the thousands of their fans in the country only as tourists, while the 1-1 draw keeps them alive, but requiring other results to go their way. And they could barely have started in worse fashion, sliced open like a meat cleaver through the finest fillet steak in the seventh minute.

Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen produced a delicious flick to Christian Eriksen, who struck the rising half-volley with control, just enough fade and more than enough power, flying past Mat Ryan before he could properly react. With his left foot, too. No matter how much praise Eriksen receives, you’re always left with the sense that he’s underrated.

Australia looked tense, a team that knew they couldn’t afford to lose, and their attacking flow was minimal. They created a few chances in the opening 30 minutes, the best of which was squandered when Robbie Kruse, in space around ten yards out, took a touch rather than a first-time shot.

But then, redemption by VAR: Mathew Leckie went up for a header with Yussuf Poulsen, there were brief claims for a handball but referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz said no. Play had reached the Australian half before a voice in the official’s ear suggested he should take another look, and from that look he decided Poulsen’s arm was not where it should be when it struck the ball, even if he appeared to be looking the other way.

Mile Jedinak rolled in the penalty, his fourth in Australia's last three competitive games, and they were back on track. To really cap a miserable minute, Poulsen was booked, meaning he’ll miss their final group game against Peru.

That seemed to give them a little more assurance, and attacked with more purpose for the rest of the half. Their fans were emboldened too: after a hint of a push moments later was deemed unworthy of a second penalty, they demanded ‘V-A-R’. Never say the golden age of terrace banter is dead.

Eriksen opened the scoring (AP)

Denmark had their own call for video interjection not long after the break, when Poulsen drove towards the area and looked to be tripped: no dice this time, despite the protests. And that might be a corollary of VAR: when a team is denied a demanded review, they will complain all the louder.

But by this point Australia were, if not quite in control certainly in much better shape. Tom Rogic’s influence grew, a delightful pirouette just after the hour mark a particular highlight, and it was a shame for Australia, the World Cup and non-Danish football in general that Leckie couldn’t turn his fine work into a goal.

Jedinak equalised from the spot (Getty Images)

Despite their better play they couldn’t force through, their closest attempt coming when Aaron Mooy fizzed a shot about half a foot over the bar. Their lack of firepower wasn’t helped wihen young forward Andrew Nabbout when down under an innocuous challenge, holding his shoulder. He immediately shook his head and was withdrawn: if that’s a dislocation, his tournament is probably over.

Ultimately though, he might only end up missing one game. Australia fizzled out as the final whistle approached, their lack of a reliable goalscorer shining through again. They will need goals and a helping hand in the last round of games, and neither were in particular evidence here.