Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan's World Cup hopes with Australia are still alive.

The Socceroos fought back to draw 1-1 with Denmark and maintain their chances of qualifying from their group for the last 16.

Ryan was on the wrong end of Christian Eriksen's finishing prowess seven minutes into the clash in Samara, just as Albion team-mate Shane Duffy had been in the play-offs when the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying hopes were dashed by a hat-trick from the Spurs player.

Eriksen gave Ryan no chance with a sweet half-volley from 15 yards, struck without breaking stride.

It continued Eriksen's influential form for his country, his 13th goal in 15 games along with five assists.

Australia levelled six minutes from the break via a controversial penalty, awarded by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after a VAR review.

Yussuf Poulsen's arm was raised when Mathew Leckie's header hit his hand.

Mile Jedinak sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot, despite the Leicester keeper's attempts to put him off and continue a sequence which had seen him go unbeaten at international level for nine hours and 31 minutes.

Ryan (below) kept the Aussies on terms at half-time, grabbing an inadvertent deflection towards his own net by Trent Sainsbury from an Eriksen free-kick.

The Argus: Both sides had opportunities in the second half. Australia lost striker Andrew Nabbout to a suspected dislocated shoulder, the day after England boss Gareth Southgate suffered a similar injury while running.

Denmark lead the table with four points after beating Peru 1-0 in their opening game. Australia, defeated 2-1 by France, have one point.

France face Peru at 4pm.