Jedinak's penalty kick helps Australia draw with Denmark in crucial Group C game

Mile Jedinak has a knack for penalty kicks and his strategy is beyond simple.

"Just to get that ball in the back in the net," the Australia captain said after converting from the spot to give Australia a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday and new life at the World Cup.

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The38th-minutepenalty was set up after Denmark forwardYussufPoulsenwas called for a handball following a video review.Poulsenwas also cautioned by the referee and will be suspended for the team's final group match against France because of yellow card accumulation.

FIFA World Cup Wrap: June 21

6 years ago

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Croatia and France advance to the Round of 16, while Lionel Messi and Argentina have been pushed to the brink of elimination.

The goal wasJedinak'ssecond from the spot at this year's World Cup, and it snapped Denmark goalkeeperKasperSchmeichel'sfive-match streak of shutouts for the Danes.

"It's more just composing and staying concentrated, regardless of the situation, regardless of where you're standing and regardless of what's going on around you," addedJedinak, who has converted 16 straight penalties.

ChristianEriksenscored in the opening minutes for Denmark, which has gone unbeaten in 17 straight international matches.

Important result for Australia

Going into the tournament, No. 36 Australia was the lowest-ranked team in Group C with the others all in the top 12.

With a loss to France in the opener, a defeat Thursday would have made it nearly impossible for theSocceroosto advance to the next stage. Denmark, meanwhile, won its first match against Peru.

Australia lost to 1998 World Cup champion France 2-1 on Saturday in Kazan, with both French goals coming as the result of video technology. But the score didn't reflect theSocceroos' gritty defensive performance.

"You've got to put those frustrations aside,"Jedinaksaid. "You don't put two performances in like that if you're frustrated. You've got to just believe, and that's what we do. We have belief in what we're doing. We're believing in the structure and how we've been training and preparing. And we'll continue to do that. It will be the same going forward."

Australia again took a defensive stand against Denmark, which was back at the World Cup after missing out on the tournament in Brazil. The Danes were coming off a 1-0 victory over Peru on Saturday inSaransk.Poulsen, who plays for German club RB Leipzig, scored the lone goal.

It is the fifth World Cup appearance for the Danes, who reached the quarterfinals in 1998.

Australia was also making a fifth trip to the World Cup. The team's best showing was in the 2006 quarterfinals.

Moments after MathewLeckie'searly header for Australia sailed over the goal,Eriksensent a left-footed shot over goalkeeper Mathew Ryan's outstretched arms.

Video replay

The Danes held the lead until the yellow onPoulsen, which was not without controversy. Video replay also gave Peru a penalty against the Danes in the opener, but it wasn't converted.

"I think after today I don't like the system. It's the second match it's been used against us,"Eriksensaid. "If you want to use the VAR for penalties, you should also use it for free kicks. Two matches in a row, that's bitter."

After the pleas from Denmark's players to the referee went unheard,Schmeichelhad a few words withJedinakto rattle him. It didn't work.

"You still have to stay focused in getting good contact and maintain that focus," saidJedinak, who plays for Aston Villa.

PioneSistonearly gave the Danes the advantage just after the halftime break, but his shot went to the right of the goal. Australia added some firepower in the68th, bringing on 19-year-old DanielArzanias both teams scrambled for a winning goal.

Denmark's opening victory over Peru was marred by the loss of starting midfielder WilliamKvist, who fractured two ribs and is likely to miss the rest of the tournament. He was replaced in the starting lineup against Australia by LasseSchone.

Denmark's last loss was in October 2016 against Montenegro, 1-0 in Copenhagen.

The highlight of Group C will be the match between France and Denmark on Tuesday in Moscow. The top finishers in the group will go on to play opponents from Group D, which includes Croatia, Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria.

Keys to success

Eriksen, who plays forTottenhamin England, has scored in 17 of the national team's last 20 matches.

During World Cup qualifying, he scored 11 goals for the Danes, third-best in Europe behind Poland striker RobertLewandowskiwith 16 and Portugal forwardCristianoRonaldowith 15.

Now 26,Eriksenwas the youngest player at the World Cup in South Africa. He has 79 appearances for the national team and 23 goals.

He was named man of the match on Thursday.

Tough loss

Australia lost AndrewNabboutin the74thminute with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder. He was replaced byTomiJuric.

"I think the tournament is over for him," Australia coach Bert vanMarwijksaid.

Nabbout'sarm was in a sling after the game, but he said he wasn't in pain.

"Obviously it was disappointing,"Nabboutsaid. "There were a lot of emotions running through at the end of the game."