Kylian Mbappe topped an exhilarating particular person efficiency with two second-half objectives to ease champions France into the final 16 of the World Cup as they beat Denmark 2-1.
Saturday’s victory of their Group D conflict on the 974 Stadium means Didier Deschamps’ facet turned the primary to qualify for the knockout stage.
France prime the group on six factors, three forward of Australia, who beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier within the day, with the Danes and the Tunisians each on one level.
France tackle Tunisia and Denmark meet Socceroos within the remaining spherical on Wednesday, with the Danes needing a win to advance.
“The primary goal has been achieved,” Deschamps stated. “This group is powerful, strong and needs to attain nice issues.”
“I am very proud of the way in which my gamers have responded,” he added. “We’re certain to be certified after two video games. It brings peace of thoughts.
“We’ve a robust and strong group of gamers who wish to do nice issues.”
Having misplaced twice to Denmark throughout the current Nations League marketing campaign, the French began cautiously. Nevertheless it was not lengthy earlier than they realised there have been alternatives available by taking over the Danish wing backs.
Ousmane Dembele tormented Joakim Maehle and a wave of pleasure swept across the stadium, which is made out of 974 recycled transport containers, each time Mbappe obtained one-on-one with Rasmus Kristensen on the opposite flank.
France loved the higher probabilities as Adrien Rabiot went shut with a header and Denmark have been pressured into quite a lot of last-ditch blocks, however the Danes did go shut with an Andreas Cornelius shot that flew simply extensive.
Their defensive resilience was to not final and Mbappe put the French forward within the 61st minute, crowning an excellent high-speed French counter with a bouncing first-time end from Theo Hernandez’s intelligent pull-back.
All the time a hazard from set items, Andreas Christensen put the Danes degree seven minutes later from a nook, stealing in behind the defence and stooping to go residence.
Neither facet appeared content material with a draw and Rabiot fired a spectacular volley over within the eightieth minute. A minute later, Denmark substitute Martin Braithwaite fired a first-time effort of his personal simply extensive of the close to put up.
The sport regarded set to finish in a stalemate till Mbappe popped up within the 86th minute on the far put up to cushion residence an Antoine Griezmann cross from shut vary to ship the travelling French followers into raptures.
Denmark threw all the things ahead in search of a second equaliser, leaving acres of area on the again, however their late assaults lacked precision and the French held on for the win that put them by means of.
“It was the small issues once more,” a annoyed Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand stated. “We had hoped that we may shut it out, it was like the sport had gone just a little bit chilly, nevertheless it was merely small issues.”
Denmark defender Victor Nelsson stated: “Proper now I am very disillusioned with the late purpose. It’s unacceptable to let in a purpose so late within the recreation … We have to win over Australia on Wednesday.”
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