Reigning champions France turned the primary facet to advance to the knockout levels of the 2022 World Cup following a late 2-1 win over Denmark.
The Danes beat Les Bleus twice within the Nations League this 12 months however Didier Deschamps’ males have been a lot improved on Saturday to say their second Group D win from two video games.
France’s first half probability got here when a deep Theo Hernandez cross was headed again by Adrien Rabiot in direction of Olivier Giroud, however Christian Eriksen arrived simply in time to poke the ball off his toe with the objective gaping.
Rabiot’s subsequent header was one directed in direction of objective, rising excessive forward of Victor Nelsson to satisfy an important cross from Ousmane Dembele, with Kasper Schmeichel offering an instinctive save to maintain the Juventus man out.
A half-volley from Jules Kounde was blocked off the road by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Schmeichel denied Antoine Griezmann at his close to publish from shut vary as France’s first half domination continued.
Denmark’s first alternative of observe got here on the counter assault with Jesper Lindstrom releasing Andreas Cornelius into the proper channel, however his effort from a good angle went harmlessly broad of Hugo Lloris’ objective.
Dembele continued to have the liberty of the proper flank and got here near offering an help for Kylian Mbappe, however the PSG ahead could not preserve his strike from 12 yards down.
After the break, Mbappe spun and burst away from Joachim Andersen earlier than sprinting 40 yards earlier than objective, just for Giroud to dam his path and making his shot at objective simpler for Schmeichel to take care of.
Griezmann ought to have opened the scoring after racing to satisfy Aurelien Tchouameni’s splendidly timed ball excessive of the defence, however he misplaced his composure and his strike sailed manner excessive.
And France lastly discovered the objective they deserved on the hour mark via Mbappe. The ahead linked up beautifully with Hernandez down the left flank, with the Milan full-back attending to the byline and pulling again for Les Bleus’ quantity ten to fireside house by way of a deflection off of Andreas Christensen.
Nevertheless, Denmark discovered a leveller shortly after. Christian Eriksen’s nook was nodded on by Andersen, and Andreas Christensen nipped in forward of Rabiot to move previous Lloris.
That appeared to kick the Danes into gear and spook France, with Mikkel Damsgaard pulling again to a free Lindstrom contained in the field. Nevertheless, Lloris threw out an arm and denied the Frankfurt ahead.
Denmark have been let off the hook when Andersen fully missed a header from a nook permitting Aurelien Tchouameni to ghost in, however Joakim Maehle was capable of present a significant block.
Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite got here near punishing present Barça defender Jules Kounde after getting in entrance of him to Kasper Dolberg’s venomous cross via the penalty space, although his shot might solely discover the facet netting.
France re-took the lead within the final 5 minutes of regular time as Mbappe ghosted in behind Rasmus Kristensen to nod in Griezmann’s deep cross to seal the three factors and depart Denmark’s hopes of qualification hanging within the steadiness.
GK: Hugo Lloris – 5/10 – Did not have so much to do. Relied on his defenders to unfold the play.
RB: Jules Kounde – 6/10 – Slightly fortunate to not have been despatched off for a problem on Nelsson. Was first rate on the again however supplied little the opposite manner.
CB: Raphael Varane – 7/10 – Calmly defended with ease and was largely untroubled.
CB: Dayot Upamecano – 7/10 – Denmark tried to construct most of their assaults down Upamecano’s facet and he tended to reply nicely.
LB: Theo Hernandez – 6/10 – Offered nice width however gave up a little bit of area on the again.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10 – One other robust efficiency within the absence of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.
CM: Adrien Rabiot – 5/10 – Roamed ahead with menace however lacked self-discipline a regarding quantity.
RM: Ousmane Dembele – 8/10 – Created loads of havoc down the wing and carried loads of the attacking load.
AM: Antoine Griezmann – 8/10 – Once more dropped deep into midfield at instances, offering the hyperlink between them and the ahead line.
LM: Kylian Mbappe – 9/10 – Each time he acquired the ball, followers rose to their ft in anticipation. One other scintillating show.
CF: Olivier Giroud – 5/10 – Was largely unselfish once more however his frantic second-half show can have contributed to the choice to substitute him.
SUB: Marcus Thuram (63′ for Giroud) – 5/10
SUB: Ibrahima Konate (75′ for Varane) – 5/10
SUB: Kingsley Coman (75′ for Dembele) – 5/10
SUB: Youssouf Fofana (90′ for Griezmann) – N/A
Supervisor: Didier Deschamps – 6/10 – France performed on the entrance foot all through and have been good worth for his or her win.
GK: Kasper Schmeichel – 6/10 – Stored France at bay as a lot as he might.
CB: Joachim Andersen – 3/10 – Torn aside time after time. Responsible of switching off a number of instances.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Denmark’s most dependable defender. Acquired a objective for his troubles.
CB: Victor Nelsson – 4/10 – Discovered it arduous residing with Dembele.
RM: Rasmus Kristensen – 3/10 – Offered little help for Andersen and did not supply so much on the entrance foot.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10 – Broke up a variety of France breakaways. Coated each blade of grass.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 5/10 – Set piece supply had France scrambling however discovered open play contributions tougher to return by.
LM: Joakim Maehle – 5/10 – Acquired into good positions, although his tangible impression was restricted.
RF: Jesper Lindstrom – 6/10 – Popped up in pockets of area to France’s annoyance and was their major headache from open play.
LF: Mikkel Damsgaard – 5/10 – Performed on the fringes of the sport. His most notable second got here along with his closing motion, pulling again for Lindstrom to fireside at Lloris.
CF: Andreas Cornelius – 4/10 – Spurned a half-chance and was usually unhelpful. Hooked on the break.
SUB: Martin Braithwaite (46′ for Cornelius) – 6/10 – Introduced nice vitality and was a a lot better bit than Cornelius.
SUB: Kasper Dolberg (73′ for Damsgaard) – 5/10
SUB: Christian Norgaard (85′ for Lindstrom) – N/A
SUB: Alexander Bah (90′ for Kristensen) – N/A
Supervisor: Kasper Hjulmand – 4/10 – Denmark have been horribly unambitious, particularly contemplating they’ve had France’s quantity this 12 months.
