Peru (The Incas) had a tough time qualifying, needing a win to secure qualification on the final matchday, they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Colombia. Luckily for them Chile were beaten 3-0 by Brazil, allowing Peru to take 5th spot on goal difference. This meant an intercontinental play-off with New Zealand. After a tense 0-0 in the first leg which arguably NZ should have won, Peru managed a 2-0 away win to secure their first World Cup since 1982.
Most of the Peruvian team play in Peru or North America. There was some controversy around the team as FIFA had banned their captain and star player, Paolo Guerroro for the World Cup after failing a drugs test. However just a few weeks before the tournament, his ban was temporarily lifted for the tournament after the captains of Australia, France and Denmark all signed a petition to allow him to play.
Peru placed 3rd in the Copa America in 2011 and 2015 and were knocked out in the Quarter finals of the last tournament. They are a very strong and physical team who can also play with technical skill. They also have several players like Farfan, Guererro and Flores who love a long shot from 30 yards out.
Denmark (Danish Dynamite) led by star player Christian Eriksen, managed to destroy Ireland 5-1 in their play-off game to qualify for the World Cup. Finishing 2nd behind Poland in their group, Denmark were never comfortable in qualifying after losing early on to Poland and Montenegro. Having failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 EUROS, they weren't going to let it happened again and managed to pick up 13 points from their last 5 games to get a playoff spot.
Denmark are not a "one man team" just like Portugal are not, but they certainly heavily lean on their star player when times get tough. They have been extremely solid team as of late having kept a clean sheet in 5 of their past 6 games.
They are very much similarly matched with Peru with solid players throughout the team most of whom play in England and Germany. They are a strong defensive unit who can surprise people with little moments of magic.
My head tells me Peru. My heart hopes for a draw so that Australia can have an easier time getting through the group. 0-0.
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