Photo courtesy of Justin Setterfield | Getty Images
EDITOR’s NOTE: Elevated Media does not condone the conditions in which the World Cup came together nor is our coverage acceptance of the outdated viewpoints of Qatari leaders.
Tunisia and Denmark share a point, after an up-and-down, high-intensity match that ended in a 0-0 draw and left the Tunisians looking for more, and the Danish looking for answers.
Throughout the game, Denmark controlled the possession and had a clear game plan coming in. But fueled by their electric supporters and maybe even Saudi Arabia’s massive upset of Argentina earlier today, Tunisia was attacking and on the front foot and Denmark was never able to get comfortable.
You could see that on the Danish players’ faces. Denmark was never able to match Tunisia’s intensity. From the second the game started, Tunisia was pressing and doing everything they could to make the Danes uncomfortable. Their one shot on goal came in the first half, but an amazing save by Schmeichel, who was huge for Denmark, kept the game scoreless. Their attacking play won them three corners in the first 10 mins of the second half alone, but they could not find the net.
While the intensity was there for Tunisia, it was not an easy game for them. Denmark’s tactical play produced many good opportunities inside the penalty area, but without a true No.9 and goalscorer, they were not able to finish these chances.
Denmark’s controlled, tactically driven play was able to produce many more good chances for the Danish as well. In the 54th minute, a through ball was put in the back of the net, but Skov Olsen was ruled offside in the build-up, leaving the game 0-0.
Eriksen got a great look from just outside the box which was amazingly saved by Aymen Dahmen. This led to a corner that should’ve produced a goal, but no one could get a touch on it and the game remained scoreless.
It just wasn’t Denmark’s day, and by the end, things such as simple short passes were off target for them, Tunisia’s constant pressure had clearly got to them. Both teams searched for that final goal, with Tunisia using every last breath they had, and Denmark looking for any bit of space, but after all of that, at full time, a resilient effort from Tunisia ends 0-0.
The first match of Group D, while scoreless, was an entertaining one, and both teams left the game with a point to share. Tunisia may be upset they weren’t able to take all three, but they should be proud of their performance. Their intensity and passion threw Denmark off their game plan, and they took a point from a dark horse World Cup contender.
Denmark on the other hand, has to go back to the drawing board and make some changes. While they controlled the possession, and had more shots on goal, if they want to lift that World Cup trophy in four weeks, they will have to figure out their attack, it will only get harder for the Danes and now they are in an uphill battle for the rest of this group stage.
Both sides will face off against the other half of Group D on Saturday, Nov. 26. The Danish will battle the French in a rematch of the Nations League battle just months ago. While the Tunisians will look to earn three points against Australia.
