Denmark player ratings as Kasper Schmeichel's heroics are in vain in defeat to Croatia

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  • Another dramatic encounter saw Croatia sneak past Denmark and into the quarter-finals of the World Cup via a penalty shootout on Sunday.

    Mathias Jorgensen scored the opener in just 58 seconds to give Denmark the lead before Mario Mandzukic levelled for Croatia in the fourth minute.

    The score remained level at 1-1 until the end of extra-time as Kasper Schmeichel denied Luka Modric from the spot in the closing stages.

    However, Croatia won the shootout 3-2 after Danijel Subasic saved three spot-kicks.

    STARTING XI

    Kasper Schmeichel – Nothing he could do about the equaliser but made a decent save from Rakitic along with a couple of other decent interventions. Heroically denied Luka Modric from the spot in extra-time before doing all he could in the shootout. 9

    Henrik Dalsgaard – One shaky moment aside when he failed to deal with a square pass, was solid. Didn’t let Ivan Perisic get the better of him. 6

    Simon Kjaer – Led by example. Made several clearances and after the equaliser, kept Mandzukic quiet. Scored emphatically in the shootout. 7

    Mathias Jorgensen – Pounced early on to score the fastest goal of the tournament. A desperate lunge saw him bring down Ante Rebic in extra-time to concede a penalty and pick up a yellow. 5

    Jonas Knudsen – Dangerous with his long throw-ins as the first led to the opener. Had his hands full with Ante Rebic’s relentless bursts forward down his side and coped well. 6

    Yussuf Poulsen – One of the more lively attackers with his direct running making inroads. Set up Nicolai Jorgensen on one occasion. 6

    Andreas Christensen – Was smacked in the face by a clearance which fell kindly for Mandzukic to score from to add insult to injury. Was replaced at half-time as Denmark looked for more legs in midfield. 4

    Thomas Delaney – In a scrappy opening goal, his touch to bring it down before Jorgensen’s shot was classy. An accomplished all-round performance from the midfielder. 6

    Martin Braithwaite – Ran the channels well but often lacked composure to deliver the final ball. 5

    Christian Eriksen – Went close with a shot from range in the first half but couldn’t really get a hold of the game otherwise. His penalty was saved in the shootout. 5

    Andreas Cornelius – Disappointing outing as he failed to hold up play and was rarely involved. 3

    SUBS

    Lasse Schone – Came on for Christensen after the break and added more energy to the midfield. 5

    Nicolai Jorgensen – Was far better than Cornelius who he replaced in the 66th minute. A crisp shot could only find Subasic though. 6

    Michael Krohn-Dehli – Introduced in extra-time to relieve Delaney and held his own. Scored in the shootout. 5

    Pione Sisto – Was a real livewire when he was thrown on in the second half of extra-time. 6

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