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 had been a lot improved on Saturday to declare their second Group D win from two video games.
France’s first half likelihood got here when a deep Theo Hernandez cross was headed again by Adrien Rabiot in the direction of Olivier Giroud, however Christian Eriksen arrived simply in time to poke the ball off his toe with the purpose gaping.
Rabiot’s subsequent header was one directed in the direction of purpose, rising excessive forward of Victor Nelsson to meet an ideal cross from Ousmane Dembele, with Kasper Schmeichel offering an instinctive save to hold 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 put up from shut vary as France’s first half domination continued.
(*16*)Denmark’s first alternative of be aware got here on the counter assault with Jesper Lindstrom releasing Andreas Cornelius into the best channel, however his effort from a decent angle went harmlessly large of Hugo Lloris’ purpose.
Dembele continued to have the liberty of the best flank and got here shut to offering an help for Kylian Mbappe, however the PSG ahead could not hold his strike from 12 yards down.
After the break, Mbappe spun and burst away from Joachim Andersen earlier than sprinting 40 yards earlier than purpose, just for Giroud to block his path and making his shot at purpose simpler for Schmeichel to cope with.
Griezmann ought to have opened the scoring after racing to meet 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 purpose they deserved on the hour mark by means of Mbappe. The ahead linked up beautifully with Hernandez down the left flank, with the Milan full-back getting to the byline and pulling again for Les Bleus’ quantity ten to fireplace house by way of a deflection off of Andreas Christensen.
However, Denmark discovered a leveller shortly after. Christian Eriksen’s nook was nodded on by Andersen, and Andreas Christensen nipped in forward of Rabiot to head 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. However, Lloris threw out an arm and denied the Frankfurt ahead.
Denmark had been let off the hook when Andersen fully missed a header from a nook permitting Aurelien Tchouameni to ghost in, however Joakim Maehle was ready to present an important block.
Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite got here shut to punishing present Barça defender Jules Kounde after getting in entrance of him to Kasper Dolberg’s venomous cross by means of the penalty space, although his shot may solely discover the facet netting.
France re-took the lead within the last 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 go away Denmark’s hopes of qualification hanging within the stability.
GK: Hugo Lloris – 5/10 – Didn’t have so much to do. Relied on his defenders to unfold the play.
RB: Jules Kounde – 6/10 – Somewhat fortunate not to have been despatched off for a problem on Nelsson. Was first rate on the again however provided 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 effectively.
LB: Theo Hernandez – 6/10 – Provided nice width however gave up a little bit of house on the again.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10 – Another 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 numerous the attacking load.
AM: Antoine Griezmann – 8/10 – Again dropped deep into midfield at instances, offering the link between them and the ahead line.
LM: Kylian Mbappe – 9/10 – Every time he obtained the ball, followers rose to their toes in anticipation. Another 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
Manager: Didier Deschamps – 6/10 – France performed on the entrance foot all through and had been good worth for his or her win.
GK: Kasper Schmeichel – 6/10 – Kept France at bay as a lot as he may.
CB: Joachim Andersen – 3/10 – Torn aside time after time. Guilty of switching off a number of instances.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 7/10 – Denmark’s most dependable defender. Got a purpose for his troubles.
CB: Victor Nelsson – 4/10 – Found it laborious dwelling with Dembele.
RM: Rasmus Kristensen – 3/10 – Provided little help for Andersen and did not supply so much on the entrance foot.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10 – Broke up numerous France breakaways. Covered each blade of grass.
CM: Christian Eriksen – 5/10 – Set piece supply had France scrambling however discovered open play contributions tougher to come by.
LM: Joakim Maehle – 5/10 – Got into good positions, although his tangible affect was restricted.
RF: Jesper Lindstrom – 6/10 – Popped up in pockets of house to France’s annoyance and was their predominant headache from open play.
LF: Mikkel Damsgaard – 5/10 – Played on the fringes of the sport. His most notable second got here together with his closing motion, pulling again for Lindstrom to fireplace 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 – Brought nice power 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
Manager: Kasper Hjulmand – 4/10 – Denmark had been horribly unambitious, particularly contemplating they’ve had France’s quantity this 12 months.