URUGUAY 1 DENMARK 2 by JacquesTheLad

With World Champions France having crashed to a defeat by Senegal in their first round Group A fixture, this match provided an opportunity for either country to take full advantage and establish themselves as favourites to qualify. Uruguay, inaugural winners of the competition and winning it again in 1950, were playing in their first World Cup match since 1990, against the first ever Denmark World Cup team without the name "Laudrup" appearing on the teamsheet.

The game started very openly, with both sides creating chances. Alvaro Recoba was inspirational for Uruguay, using his pace to take him past Danish defenders. For the Scandinavians, Chelsea's Jesper Gronkjaer provided much needed width, which Denmark seemed to rely upon to carve open the South American defence.

Denmark came closest to opening the scoring through Ebbe Sand, who met a Rommedahl cross with his head, but the ball bounced up off the turf and onto the crossbar with keeper Fabian Carini looking on helplessly. Sand should have done better, but as Denmark began to take control of the game, Uruguay were beginning to feel the pressure.

The opening came on the stroke of half-time. Left winger Gronkjaer, causing Uruguay problems throughout the half, played a weighted volley pass to Jon Dahl Tomasson. As Gronkjaer continued his run, Tomasson released him down the right and ran into the centre. Gronkjaer cut the ball back to the Feyenoord striker, who took his chance first time with a finish that left Carini with no chance. Denmark went in at the half-time whistle deservedly ahead.

As the second half began, Uruguay struck right back. Star man Recoba swung in a corner which was half cleared to Guigou. After some juggling with the ball, he set up left-back Rodriguez, who thundered a volley past keeper Sorensen who was a spectator. Denmark's lead had lasted all of two minutes of play. This began a bit of momentum for Uruguay, who pressed Denmark, but nothing came of it.

As the team looked set for a draw, which would suit France, Denmark scored a winner in the 82nd minute. Winger Rommedahl sent in a cross which Tomasson met with his head. A glancing header stunned Carini who was motionless, as the ball crashed down off the crossbar and into the net.

So, a deserved win for Denmark, who can now go into their next match, against Senegal, brimming with confidence. As for Uruguay, they take on France in a must-win game for both countries. Nobody will fancy them there.