Daniel Arzani dazzles against Denmark, earning plaudits from around the world

THOUGHT the hype around Daniel Arzani couldn’t get any bigger?

Well, you thought wrong.

When the Melbourne City teenager started warming up with half an hour left in the Socceroos’ clash with Denmark, anticipation was in the air.

Then, he entered the field in the 68th minute — replacing Robbie Kruse — and within minutes, justified the high expectations buzzing around him.

Arzani immediately looked to take on players and used his speed and guile to devastating effect.

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In the 79th minute, he offered a tantalising ball — off barely a step — for Mat Leckie, who couldn’t quite make contact with a header.

But his finest moment came two minutes later.

Chasing down an all-but-lost cause near the goal line, Arzani stopped on a dime, casually flicked the ball past Pione Sisto and then drove a scintillating ball across the face of goal. The only problem was, no-one was there to meet it.

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Then, minutes from full time, Arzani charged into the area and — with eyes only for goal — slammed the ball towards the inside of the near post, forcing a save from Kasper Schmeichel.

He also arguably deserved a free kick in the 90th minute, when he was brought down just outside the area.

While the young gun was unable to find the decisive touch to secure a matchwinner, in just over 25 minutes of football, Arzani showed there’s plenty to like about the 19-year-old.

And he earned a bevy of fans in the process.

“Arzani looks every inch a future World Cup star,” ex-England football Leon Osman said on BBC 5 live Sport.

“He’s been magnificent since he’s come on. What a talent.”

And you’d be hard-pressed to find many who disagreed.