Peru without inspirational Guerrero in opener against Denmark

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - Peru vs Denmark - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 16, 2018 Peru fans inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

SARANSK, Russia (Reuters) - Peru left out all-time top-scorer Paolo Guerrero from their starting line-up for their World Cup opener against Denmark at the Mordovia Arena on Saturday.

Guerrero, who was reprieved from a doping ban just in time for the tournament, was a big boost for the Latin Americans who returned to the world stage after an absence of 36 years.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Denmark Training - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 15, 2018 Denmark's Andreas Christensen with team mates during training REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

But coach Ricardo Gareca chose Edison Flores, Andre Carrillo and Jefferson Farfan, who plays for Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow, to lead the team's attack in their Group C match.

Denmark went in without any unexpected changes and will be led by Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Christian Eriksen.

With France picking up a win against Australia earlier on Saturday, points in the match between Peru and Denmark could decide the second team to progress to the knockout stage.

Soccer Football - World Cup - Group C - Peru vs Denmark - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 16, 2018 Peru fans inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; editing by Christian Radnedge)

Soccer Football - World Cup - Peru Training - Mordovia Arena, Saransk, Russia - June 15, 2018. Paolo Guerrero trains. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes