Eriksen-Modric battle or Croatia-Denmark clash

Denmark coach Age Hareide said his side’s World Cup last-16 match against Croatia could boil down to who comes out on top in the midfield battle between Christian Eriksen and Luka Modric.

The Danes failed to set pulses racing in the opening round, featuring in the first goalless draw of the World Cup against France, a result that ensured both sides progressed from Group C.

But Hareide said team would be more expansive and play differently against the fancied Croats in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday.

“I think you will see a different Denmark from what you have seen so far and the type of game we have played,” said Hareide. “Yes, we need to defend but we need to attack more.”

Denmark are unbeaten for 18 games, a national record, and their last defeat coming against Montenegro in October 2016. If Denmark beat Croatia, it will be only the second time the Danes have qualified for the last eight of the World Cup, the other occasion being in 1998.