Kylian Mbappé scored FIFA World Cup goals number six and seven to help France earned their first win in four attempts against a resilient Denmark side, who now have to beat Australia to have any hope of reaching the next round.
Having preciously became the first defending Champions of the competition to win their opening game of the following edition since Germany in 2006, with a 4-1 come from behind win over the Aussies in their opening game, France’s intention was to make a statement by beating Denmark and they have indeed achieved that.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, of which they had more control but unable to creat real threat but for a shot blasted over the bar by Kylian Mbappé from an Ousmane Dembele’s cross with half time approaching.
Denmark had chances of their own but none of the sides was able to break the deadlock until one minute after the hour mark. Kylian Mbappé’s beautiful exchange with Theo Hernandez was swiftly returned to the PSG forward, who then fired home from close range, beating Kasper Schmeichel from close range.
Seven minutes later, Andreas Christensen restores parity for Denmark following a Christian Eriksen’s corner, which was headed into the Barcelona defender’s path for a simple headed finish by Joakim Andersen.
Haven’t won their previous two games against Les Blues, the believe was restored into the Danes and they started to match France’s tenacity but four minutes from time, Kylian Mbappé’s well timed run to get on the end of an Antoine Griezmann’s cross and restore France’s lead conquered their believe.
France held on for the points, which takes them six clear in the group and have not only qualified but as the group winners, becoming the first nation to reach the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In the process of becoming the first defending Champions to reach the next round of the tournament since Germany in 2006, France have also won six consecutive games at FIFA World Cup, for the first time in their history as well as being the first side to do so since Spain in 2010.
They await the runner up in Group C in the round of 16.
Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
