Denmark boss Age Hareide is confident his side can handle the pressure that comes with a World Cup ahead of their crucial Group C clash with Peru.
Hareide’s side kick-off their campaign in Saransk on Saturday, with Australia and tournament favourites France also in the pool.
With France favourites to claim top spot, the fight is seemingly on for second place, and Hareide acknowledged that beating Peru – taking part in their first World Cup since 1982 – is vital to Denmark’s chances of progression.
“Of course, if we want a good opportunity for second place the three points are very important,” he said.
“We’re going all in to win the match. At a World Cup there’s always pressure because everybody is watching, but I would say there was more pressure on us in Dublin [in the play-off against the Republic of Ireland] when we had to qualify.
“The players have shown good things in big clubs, they are used to pressure. We have built this match up as the important one, so we need to be able to handle the pressure.”