Eriksen leads Denmark to World Cup

CAIRO – 15 November 2017: Denmark succeeded to qualify to the 2018 World Cup in Russia after defeating the Republic of Ireland 5-1 in the second-leg of their clash at Aviva Stadium in Ireland.

The first-leg ended with a goalless draw in Denmark. Christian Eriksen, Tottenham`s midfielder, was the protagonist of the game, as he managed to score a hat-trick to help his national team qualify to the World Cup.

Shane Duffy took the lead for Ireland in the 6th minute. Andreas Christensen equalized for Denmark in the 29th minute, and then Christian Eriksen scored the second for Denmark in the 32nd minute.

In the second half, Eriksen scored two goals in the 63rd and 74th minutes to decide his team`s qualification, reaching his eleventh goal in the European World Cup qualifiers. Only Cristiano Ronaldo with 15 goals and Robert Lewandowski with 16 goals scored more than him.

Nicolas Bendtner finished the game with the fifth goal in the 90th minute.

Denmark is ranked 30th and is the last European team to qualify to this edition of the World Cup, after France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia and Sweden, along with Russia, the organizer of the tournament.

This is the fifth time that Denmark qualifies to the World Cup.