RAS ABU ABOUD, Qatar — France are the first team to book their place in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup after beating Denmark 2-1 on Saturday thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.
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The Paris Saint-Germain talisman opened the scoring in the 61st minute, converting a fine pass from Theo Hernandez, but the lead would last only seven minutes before Denmark centre-back Andreas Christensen equalised. The sides looked destined to share the spoils before Mbappe scored his second of the game, popping up at the back post on 86 minutes to earn France all three points and a place in the knockout rounds.
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Rapid Reaction
1. France first into knockout rounds as Mbappe stars again
Mbappe, the Paris-born-and-bred prodigy has now scored 12 goals in his past 14 games for France. That attacking swag, on display against Australia and always in Les Bleus‘ back pocket, it was there once again.
The big test for France against Denmark was to see if the midfield and the defence could be as strong as the attack. This was to be a referendum on Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot, Theo Hernandez and Aurelien Tchouameni, and they passed with flying colours — for most of the game.
The way France controlled the Danes was very impressive. The return of Raphael Varane was very important, bringing calm and serenity to the back line, and his partnership with an impressive Upamecano was excellent. The French were dominant in midfield, too, with Tchouameni and Rabiot being excellent, until the Juventus midfielder forgot to mark Christensen, who scored Denmark’s goal.
Les Bleus didn’t give their opponents much for an hour or so, but what cost them, again, like too often in recent months, was set pieces. They were undone by a corner. France manager Didier Deschamps admitted that they could do more to prepare for these moments, and should defend them better too.
There will be time for that. Now, they can focus on celebrating their qualification with a game to spare.
2. Griezmann outstanding in new role
Imagine being 31 years old, playing in your third World Cup and being told by your head coach that you will start in a totally different position than what you have been used to for all your career. That’s what’s happened to Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid frontman has played as a striker, a winger or a second striker under Deschamps, and now he can add a No. 8 to that list. And what an impact he is having so far in this World Cup.
Griezmann was outstanding against Australia and even better against Denmark. He made the game more fluid, playing simple one- or two-touch sequences, accelerating the game or slowing it down when needed. He recovered many balls by working hard defensively and also cut out the passing lanes in to Christian Eriksen. His deliveries from set pieces were exceptional, too.
He should have scored, finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but blasted the ball over the bar just before the hour mark. He he was the who recovered the ball before the buildup to France’s first goal. It was Griezmann, too, who provided the assist for the Mbappe’s match winner.
This was a faultless performance and proof of not only the talent but also the incredible football IQ Griezmann possesses. Few of his peers would be able to make a new position their own on a stage as big as the World Cup.
3. Denmark are still alive, but only just
After Mbappe’s first goal, it looked like dark clouds were gathering over Denmark once again. After the terribly poor performance against Tunisia in their first game, which they drew 0-0, they were this time beaten by a superior French team. Yet, they kept fighting after conceding the first goal, striving to keep alive hopes of reaching the next round.
They could have easily given up, but that’s not their style. Instead, they kept going and caused problems for France.
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Denmark scored from a set piece, situations in which they are excellent. They created two big chances, from Jesper Lindstrom and Martin Braithwaite, after two good movements using the half spaces and squaring the ball back in the box.
This will be a defeat tough to take because of how late the Danes conceded, but the players showed that there is still life in this team. They can still qualify for the round of 16, but they will need the help of the French against Tunisia, and they will have to do their bit and beat Australia as well.
After what they showed in the last 30 minutes against France, they can still have hope of overcoming the odds.
Player ratings
France: Hugo Lloris 6, Jules Kounde 5, Raphael Varane 6, Dayot Upamecano 7, Theo Hernandez 7, Antoine Griezmann 8, Aurelien Tchouameni 6, Adrien Rabiot 6, Ousmane Dembele 6, Kylian Mbappe 8, Olivier Giroud 5
Subs: Marcus Thuram 5, Kingsley Coman 5, Ibrahima Konate 5, Youssouf Fofana 5
