Manchester United playmaker Christian Eriksen couldn’t inspire Denmark to victory against Australia and the Danes crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage.
In a game that Kasper Hjulmand’s side had to win to stand any chance of qualifying for the last-16 as Group D runners-up, the Scandinavian nation were beaten 1-0 by the Socceroos.
Last summer’s European Championship semi-finalists huffed and puffed but didn’t really click into gear and a second half breakaway goal from Matthew Leckie for Graham Arnold’s Australia looked to knock the stuffing and fight out of the Danes.
Denmark’s media react to Christian Eriksen performance in World Cup defeat to Australia
United’s number 14 looked weary against Australia and him having a little break before the domestic season resumes in just under three weeks time will likely be welcomed by Erik ten Hag.
Unlike when playing for the Red Devils, Eriksen doesn’t have the same quality, pace and movement in front of him when playing for the national side.
The 30-year-old was uncharacteristically caught in possession on a number of occasions, but he did become increasingly frustrated with the lack of movement in front of him.
As the game wore on, Denmark’s reliance on Eriksen, who was wearing the captain’s armband, to produce a moment of magic did look to increase, but the former Brentford man was unable to come to the rescue this time round.
Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet rated their number ten’s performance as a two out of six.
Their report on the 120-time Denmark international read: “The turf was his chessboard for 15 minutes, but the red pieces did not do as Eriksen wanted.
“It looked reasonable at first with cutting, long diagonals, and then he started playing physically, which is not at all among the technician’s core competencies.”
While Eriksen will likely be available for United’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Burnley on 21 December, he’s more likely to return to action against Nottingham Forest six days later.