Andrew Priestley: Christian Eriksen is in that bracket of players in world football who are just below world-class level. He is comfortably head and shoulders above all others on the pitch tonight, and he’s just proved it, again.

Jan Vertonghen recently described Christian Eriksen as one of the best playmakers in the world. Hard to argue on this evidence. Unplayable.

Half a chance for the hosts as James McClean sends a header just over the bar. It would be the comeback of all comebacks if the Republic of Ireland somehow recover from this.

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Cyrus Christie is causing Denmark a few concerns with his some lively runs. He attempts to wriggle his way through two players on the right but is muscled over by Thomas Delaney. Free-kick to the hosts which Robbie Brady takes but he sends it too close to Kasper Schmeichel.

But the hosts go close themselves seconds later as Cyrus Christie breaks between two defenders before his teasing cross is punched away by Kasper Schmeichel.

Republic of Ireland almost punished as a duff ball into the box by Aiden McGeady is picked up by Christian Eriksen and suddenly the hosts are away on the counter. Eriksen charges upfield but his shot is straight at Darren Randolph. Almost game over.

A chance for the Republic of Ireland as Shane Duffy connects well with a corner, powering a header at goal but Kasper Schmeichel reacts quickly to clutch the ball out of the air.

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First change for Denmark as Jens Larsen - very lively at the start of this game - is replaced by Peter Ankersen.

Almost the curse of the commentator there.

Pione Sisto has another go from distance. This time his strike is low, hard and on target but Darren Randolph has it covered, pushing the ball behind for a corner, which comes to nowt.

Pione Sisto loves a long-range strike. Luckily for the hosts, he's not been great from distance tonight as he skews another effort high above the Republic of Ireland goal.

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That is massive, massive clearance.

A brilliant Christian Eriksen cross looks all the world to be heading to Nicolai Jorgensen's feet right in front of goal but Stephen Ward leaps into the air to hook the ball behind for a corner.

That will do Ward's confidence some good after his error in the lead up to Denmark's second goal.

Early corner for the hosts prompts a roar of encouragement from the stands. Big pressure on Robbie Brady to provide a decent a delivery... and he does. He puts it straight into the middle of the area but Yussuf Poulsen is first to it to head clear.

The Republic of Ireland need more creativity on the pitch and Martin O'Neill acknowledges that by bringing on Wes Hoolahan and Aiden McGeady for David Meyler and Harry Arter.

Got to go for it. Second half under way.

The visitors dominated possession and created more chances in the first half than the Republic of Ireland. Perfect performance by them so far.

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Will Martin O'Neill be tempted to make some changes for the second half? Wes Hoolahan's creativity could be an option. He's certainly the name that most people on Twitter are crying out for.

That's half time and a lot for the Republic of Ireland to think about.

A dream start before a nightmare couple of minutes turned the game on its head.

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Owen Purcell: One of the moments where I am proud to say I am Danish!! Absolutely stunning finish from Eriksen but we can't discount Ireland yet still a top class game tonight from the both of them.

Harry Arter wins the ball midway inside the Denmark half, he drives forward, thinks about a shot before opting to feed Robbie Brady but his cross to the near post is into the sidenetting.

Better spell of possession for the hosts but they are not doing much to worry Denmark.

Robbie Brady drives a cross into the area for James McClean, whose touch is heavy and as he attempts to get the ball at the second attempt he tumbles under a challenge by Andreas Christensen. A few calls for a penalty but there was nothing in it.

George Fisher: Not much you can do when your opponents finish like that. Beautiful. But don't give up Ireland! Keep fighting come on!!