About 25,000 Peruvian fans, who dominated the 50,500 seat stadium, were highly disappointed as Peru lost 0-1 to Denmark. Their encouraging chants continued through the game and the whistled each time Denmark had the ball or dared to attack.
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The win extends Denmark’s unbeaten run to 16 games without defeat and end Peru’s 15-match unbeaten streak. After weathering the early storm, the Danes started to push forward.
Denmark had to bring on Ajax’s Lasse Schone with 36 minutes gone when central midfielder William Kvist was stretchered off.
A yellow card was shown to Peru midfielder Renato Tapia for sending Pione Sisto tumbling just outside the area, but Christian Eriksen drilled the free-kick off the wall.
When Poulsen clipped Cueva’s boot on 45 minutes, referee Bakary Gassama checked with the Video Assistant Referee and pointed to the spot for the second penalty awarded through the system of the day after France had also benefited against Australia.
Cueva took the spot-kick himself but his effort ballooned over the bar.
Just moments after Peru wasted a clear chance, when Cueva squared to Andre Carrillo who failed to connect, Denmark scored.
The ball was quickly moved forward and when Poulsen went one-on-one with Gallese, the darting Dane hit the net on 59 minutes.
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