There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Christian Eriksen’s face flashed up on the big screen inside Parken Stadion to announce him as man-of-the-match during the closing stages of Saturday’s first leg.
Afterwards, manager Age Hareide was asked why his star player had failed to show. The same question was put to him on the eve of this game. It was Eriksen, however, who had the answers.
Two years ago he was outshone by Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the Scandinavian rivals went head-to-head for a place at Euro 2016. Ibrahimovic scored three times over two legs. Eriksen, meanwhile, had no impact.
Not this time. Small things make the difference in big games. Denmark were trailing to Shane Duffy’s early opener when they won a corner. Seeing a posse of strapping comrades charge forward in anticipation of a cross, most takers would have duly delivered. Not Eriksen.
Noticing that Ireland had switched off, the Spurs playmaker beckoned Pione Sisto for a short corner. The hosts were out-numbered and within seconds the Danes were level, Cyrus Christie diverting the ball into his own net.
If Eriksen’s contribution for the equaliser was perhaps missed by the majority, everyone saw his stunning second. You’d be mistaken for thinking it was easy, the manner in which he climaxed a swift break by effortlessly clipping home via the underside of the crossbar from 20 yards. It wasn’t so simple, of course, evidenced by James McClean lashing over from similar distance after half-time.
By that point Eriksen had already sent his country to Russia. Again he made it look easy. Twenty yards. Right foot. Left foot. Bottom corner. Brilliant.
As for his hat-trick goal, it was more brute force than finesse, a thumping shot after anticipating a mistake by Stephen Ward. It was that presence of mind which had made the difference. Small things, again.
That is nine goals from his last eight matches in qualification. He has carried Denmark to what will be his second World Cup. Aged 18, he was the youngest player at the tournament in 2010.
Eriksen, though, is no longer the rookie. He is the master, a player at the very top of his game, for club and country.
There certainly won’t be any eyebrows raised at news of his man-of-the-match award this time.