Jonas Knudsen became the 10th Ipswich Town player to feature at a World Cup as Denmark suffered a last 16 penalty shoot-out defeat to Croatia tonight.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jonas Knudsen started Denmark's World Cup clash with Croatia on Sunday night, which they lost on penalties. Photo: PAJonas Knudsen started Denmark's World Cup clash with Croatia on Sunday night, which they lost on penalties. Photo: PA (Image: Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Left-back Knudsen – who has had an eventual couple of weeks after jetting home from Russia during the group stages following the premature birth of his first child – started and completed the full 120 minutes, earning only his fourth cap.

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It was his long throw which led to defender Mathias Jorgensen firing Denmark into a very early lead, before Mario Mandzukic levelled with less than four minutes on the clock.

Knudsen’s long throws have rarely proved effective for Town and last season he stopped doing them altogether. Tonight, however, they were delivered with a far flatter trajectory and continually caused Croatia problems from both sides of the pitch as Denmark looked the more likely to win it.

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Luka Modric then squandered a chance to win Croatia the game from the spot in extra-time when Kasper Schmeichel repelled his effort.

Schmeichel also saved twice in the shoot-out, but Croatia keeper Danijel Subasic went one better making saves from Christian Eriksen, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen to allow Ivan Rakitic to win it with his side’s final kick.