While the build-up to Qatar has focused on issues off the field, there is still some football to be played on it. Samantha Lewis previews Group D and lays out Australia's possible path forward.
Finally, the Socceroos will close out the group stage with a final match against the 2022 tournament dark horses, Denmark.
It's this collective mental strength and belief in themselves that will be Denmark's driving force in Qatar. Alongside the Socceroos, the Danes are one of the only other nations to have made a strong public statement regarding the human rights concerns of this World Cup,as "[they] don't wish to be visible during a tournament that has cost thousands of people their lives".
Denmark are almost the perfect mix of France and Tunisia in that they have an array of world-class players who are organised in a consistent and effective system that plays to their strengths. Just ahead of them sits the puppet master Eriksen, the team's highest goalscorer with 39 goals in 117 games. He is supported by the midfield duo of Thomas Delaney of Sevilla and Tottenham's hard-running Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Despite that uncertainty, though, Denmark come into Qatar on a wave of success. They've won five of their eight games this year — three of which were won by more than a goal — including two victories over France in the UEFA Nations League. Indeed, where France appear to be a team of stars, Denmark have turned into a star team.
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