Christensen knows pressure is on Denmark after controversial Australia draw

Andreas Christensen is aware the pressure will be on Denmark for their final group game against France following a controversial draw with Australia.

Denmark had started the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Peru and took the lead in their second fixture against Australia through Christian Eriksen’s stunning early strike.

However, Australia equalised through Mile Jedinak’s penalty after a controversial VAR incident saw the spot-kick awarded, and the match finished 1-1.

It means that Denmark must secure a point against already-qualified France to be certain of reaching the last 16, with Australia needing to beat Peru in their final Group C fixture to have a chance of denying Christensen’s side.

Chelsea defender Christensen has performed well in both his side’s first two games and, after being left disappointed by the draw with Australia, knows the pressure is on him and his team-mates to deliver against France in Moscow next Tuesday.

“Obviously, if you told us that today we would have four points from two games then it wouldn’t be too bad,” said Christensen in Samara’s Cosmos Stadium. “Especially depending how the other games go.

“But I think after we won the first one we just really wanted to go into this game and win, to make it look even better than it does now. To make it feel like a little less pressure against France in the last game.

“We are a little bit disappointed by that but in total having four points from two games, things could be worse. After the first game, we said we can play much better than this, but again we were happy that we scored.

“Today we couldn’t get a better start but we know we can play better. Hopefully at one point in this World Cup, we will find in our best form.”

The 22-year-old is playing at his first major tournament for Denmark after enjoying his breakthrough season at Chelsea this year and he is proud to have hit another career landmark.

He added: “It means a lot [to play at the World Cup for Denmark].

“Every time I represent my country it is something big and it is something I dreamed about when I was growing up playing football so it is a massive achievement.”