FIFA World Cup: Mbappe brace sends France through to round of 16 after 2-1 over Denmark

France tops the group on six points, three ahead of Australia, which beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier in the day, with the Danes and the Tunisians both on one point.

Published : Nov 26, 2022 23:54 IST , DOHA

France’s Marcus Thuram (extreme left) and Kylian Mbappe (second from left) celebrate after the 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group D match against Denmark at Stadium 974 on Saturday in Doha, Qatar.
France’s Marcus Thuram (extreme left) and Kylian Mbappe (second from left) celebrate after the 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group D match against Denmark at Stadium 974 on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
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France’s Marcus Thuram (extreme left) and Kylian Mbappe (second from left) celebrate after the 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group D match against Denmark at Stadium 974 on Saturday in Doha, Qatar. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe scored twice to send champion France into the last 16 of the World Cup as it beat Denmark 2-1 in its Group D clash at the 974 Stadium on Saturday, making it first side to qualify for the knockout stage.

France tops the group on six points, three ahead of Australia, which beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier in the day, with the Danes and the Tunisians both on one point.

France takes on Tunisia and Denmark meets Socceroos in the final round on Wednesday.

A tight, tense first half saw France enjoy the better chances as Adrien Rabiot went close with a header and the Danes were forced into a number of last-ditch blocks to keep their clean sheet intact.

It was not to last and Mbappe put the French ahead in the 61st minute, crowning a superb high-speed French counter with a bouncing first-time finish from Theo Hernandez’s clever pull-back.

FRANCE 2-1 DENMARK HIGHLIGHTS

Always a danger from set pieces, Andreas Christensen put the Danes level seven minutes later, stealing in behind the defence and stooping to head home.

Neither side seemed content with a draw and Rabiot fired a spectacular volley over in the 80th minute, and a minute later, substitute Martin Braithwaite fired a first-time effort of his own just wide of the near post.

The game looked set to end in a stalemate until Mbappe popped up in the 86th minute at the far post to cushion home an Antoine Griezmann cross from close range to restore the lead to send the travelling French fans into raptures.

Denmark threw everything forward looking for a second equaliser, leaving acres of space at the back, but its late attacks against a side it beat twice in the recent Nations League campaign lacked precision and the French held on for the win that put them through.

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