SAMARA, June 21: Australia captain Mile Jedinak hit a second-half VAR-assisted penalty to secure a 1-1 World Cup draw with Denmark on Thursday that left the Socceroos� last-16 hopes hanging by a thread.
Bert van Marwijk�s men travelled to Samara needing a win after their unfortunate 2-1 defeat to France in their Group C opener.
Australia battled back impressively after Christian Eriksen�s seventh-minute opener but were unable to find a way past Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from open play despite dominating a pulsating second half.
The result leaves Denmark on four points and Australia with just a single point after two games apiece.
Tottenham midfielder Eriksen, identified as the dangerman by Australia in the run-up to the game, showed sublime technique to finish after Nicolai Jorgensen�s neat lay-off in the area. Australia�s response was impressive but with just one point from two games the Socceroos� chances of advancing in Russia now appear slim. Eriksen�s early opener was a body blow for Australia but they were given a lifeline when an outswinging corner seemed destined for the head of Hertha Berlin winger Mathew Leckie but came off the arm of Yussuf Poulsen.
The Leipzig front man had been Denmark�s hero with the matchwinner against Peru but was adjudged to have handled the ball and the referee consulted the Video Assistant Referee system before pointing to the spot.
Jidenak, who had scored a penalty against France, stepped up to fire easily past Schmeichel in the 38th minute.
Eriksen�s free kick caused mayhem in the box just minutes later, with Mat Ryan collecting in relief after the ball came off the leg of Trent Sainsbury a yard from the goalline. The Socceroos were quickly into their stride after the restart, only for Pione Sisto to curl just wide of Ryan�s goal. � AFP
