France became the first team to qualify for the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup as Kylian Mbappe’s double sent them to a 2-1 win over Denmark in their Group ‘D’ match played at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Saturday. Mbappe – fresh from scoring in France’s opening night 4-1 win over Australia – scored the first of his two poacher-like efforts when converting a cross from Theo Hernandez on 61 minutes.
There was no panic from Denmark despite falling behind and they were level seven minutes later when Andreas Christensen headed home as the French wobbled defensively from a Christian Eriksen corner.
Both teams had chances to win it late on, but it was Mbappe that provided the decisive moment, again showing sharp predatory skills to bundle home an Antoine Griezmann cross with four minutes remaining.
France carried the greater attacking threat but were struggling to impose Mbappe on the game. Ousmane Dembele was a constant threat down the right and he looked to have put one on a plate for Mbappe from 15 yards on 40 minutes, but he blazed over the crossbar.
Griezmann had his head in his hands after the break when finishing wildly when just Kasper Schmeichel to beat – but France did not have to wait much longer to open the scoring.
Mbappe linked beautifully with Hernandez down the left and showed razor-sharp finishing to prod home a close-range finish to put France in control.
Denmark had been struggling to put the World Cup holders under any pressure but levelled via a set piece – a route that led them to plenty of success in their impressive run at the last Euros. It was Christensen that was on hand to power home a header after Joachin Andersen had won the first contact.
Denmark knew a draw would leave their destiny in their own hands against Australia, however, France kept on probing, and it was Mbappe that stepped up with the big moment with the clock ticking down. It was a simple goal, bundling home a Griezmann cross with his thigh from two yards out. (C.D)