Mbappé gets the ticket to the round of 16 in France
A brace from the PSG striker gives victory to Didier Deschamps’ men, who become the first team with a place in the round of 16
MADRID, 26 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
France achieved the first ticket to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar after beating Denmark (2-1) this Saturday with a brace from Kylian Mbappé, in a match in which the forward dressed as a hero to give victory to his team at the end and place Group D alone as the leader.
Deschamps built a much stronger team to try to neutralize the quality combinations led by Christian Eriksen and it worked for him. Thus, with the entry of Koundé on the right side, the hierarchy of Varane in the center of the rear and the presence of Theo Hernández in the right lane, the coach further reinforced his model.
Aurelien Tchouameni, omnipresent, repeated with Rabiot in the midfield handle, while in attack he continued to trust Antoine Griezmann and his improved version with the ‘Roosters’, the record striker Giroud and the cheeky Kylian Mbappé, who was the best of yours
France will reach the last day with the peace of mind of a guaranteed place in the round of 16, although they will have to score points against Tunisia, or that Australia does not win, if they want to do so as first in the group. For its part, Denmark is obliged to beat Australia if it wants not to leave Qatar at the first opportunity.
The party began following the plan established by the Gauls. The reigning champions, very well positioned on the pitch, forced Denmark to defend themselves with everything, subdued by a Griezmann who took over the game from midfielder. The Atlético de Madrid player had the first on his boots after easily leaving the Danish defense, but his cross shot ran into Schmeichel.
Absolute domination of ‘Les Bleus’ in a first part in which the Danes, with only two approaches to the French area, were unable to overcome that combinative and incisive football that characterizes Didier Deschamps’ men and which found its prize in the form of a goal as soon as he returned from the locker room.
After a wall from Mbappé with Theo Hernández, who added another assist, the PSG striker did not hesitate and beat Schmeichel with a shot that grazed Christensen. Momentary joy for the French who saw how only five minutes later Christensen returned the equalizer to the scoreboard. The Barça central defender took advantage of an extension by his teammate Andersen to finish off with a header between the three sticks.
From there, good minutes from both teams that shared the chances in a round-trip game that seemed to find no owner. First Rabiot with a volley and then Braithwaite with a shot to the post, were the best plays of the last leg of a match in which, as if it were a boxing match, blows were exchanged.
However, the French quality, or rather, that of Kylian Mbappé, ended up tipping the balance in favor of a French team that ended their good game on 86′, getting the winning goal. The Parisian attacker, with the help of a brilliant Griezmann, only had to push a measured cross from the right wing into the back of the net.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: FRANCE, 2 – DENMARK, 1. (0-0, at halftime).
–LINE-UPS.
FRANCE: Lloris; Varane (Konate, min. 74), Upamecano, Kounde, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Griezmann (Fofana, 93 minutes), Mbappe, Dembele (Coman, 74 minutes) and Giroud (Thuram, 63 minutes).
DENMARK: Schmeichel; Andersen, Nelsson, Christensen (Bah, min. 92); Kristensen, Damsgaard (Dolberg, min. 73), Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Maehle; Lindstrom (Jensen, min.85) and Cornelius (Braithwaite, min.46).
–GOALS:
1-0, min.61: Mbappe.
1-1, min. 68: Christensen.
2-1, min.86: Mbappe.
–REFEREE: Szymon Marciniak (POL). He admonished Christensen (min.19) and Cornelius (min.22) for Denmark. And to Koundé (min.42) in France.
–ESTADIO: Stadium 974.