France vs Denmark 2-1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

France’s 2-1 victory over Denmark certainly delivered on the promise pre-game, with a scintillating performance from the tournament’s best player in Kylian Mbappé. Our coverage will now be moving onto Argentina v Mexico as Messi and company fight to stay in this World Cup.

Goodnight and good luck.

𝙌𝙐𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙀𝘿 🔥
Heading for the last 1️⃣6️⃣ of the World Cup 🇫🇷 #FiersdetreBleus #FRADEN pic.twitter.com/hbLOLQyTaR

— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 26, 2022

Denmark has a massive game up next against Australia on Wednesday, with it being win or bust for Kasper Hjulmand’s team from here on out. France can, by contrast, afford to rotate for their match with Tunisia, and given the squad at Deschamps’s disposal, you’d imagine he’ll take the opportunity to do so.

France registered seven shots on target to Denmark’s two, and fired many wide and over in what was an impressive attacking display, even if they didn’t dominate the ball. They could have had a few more, if they had their shooting boots on, but that probably would have been harsh on Denmark.

Not many were tipping the French before the tournament but they look like real contenders after this composed performance. Denmark started the game better but had no answer to Mbappé’s threat in the second half.

He could have scored more along with the rest of his teammates and the win puts France through to the knockouts.

A hoofed ball over the Danish defence sees Mbappé facing Schmeichel only once again. He decides to take it early on on the volley but it goes straight into the arms of the keeper.

Six minutes have been added on. Fofana is on for Griezmann, with Bah introduced for Kristensen for the Danes.

92 mins: France 2-1 Denmark

Lindstrøm comes off after some good work with Christian Nørgaard on in his place.

86 mins: France 2-1 Denmark

Mbappé puts France back in front. It’s kind of a bundled finish, but he won’t care. It was a nice ball by Griezmann to set that one up.

86 mins: France 2-1 Denmark

It is end-to-end stuff as Denmark attack down the right, which results in Braithwaite firing just wide of Lloris’s near post. His side has looked better with him leading the line instead of Cornelius, it must be said.

83 mins: France 1-1 Denmark 

Andreas Christensen has now scored more goals in 61 caps for Denmark than he managed in 161 appearances for Chelsea.

— Adam Newson (@AdamNewson) November 26, 2022

It looks like a bad miss on first viewing, but Tchouaméni diving header ricochets off the Dane before going wide. Moments later, Koundé tries his luck with a header that is also deflected wide.

Rabiot then attempts an audacious overhead kick but sends it into the stands, predictably.

80 mins: France 1-1 Denmark

He gets himself in a great position in the box, but his shot is directly at Hugo Lloris in goal. Kasper Dolberg is brought on for Damsgaard.

Varane and Dembele are also off for France with Coman and Konate introduced.

74 mins: France 1-1 Denmark

Christensen scores from a corner after a flick on by Andersen. We have a game now, ladies and gentlemen.

68 mins: France 1-1 Denmark 

Theo Hernandez must be wishing his brother were alongside him to enjoy his current form. Theo came on to join the French backline in the early minutes of the Australia game after his brother Lucas limped off injured while trying to stop a goal-scoring cross.

Theo went on to be instrumental in the first French goal that day, and again today, it was his beautiful turn and pass-back to Mbappe that set up France’s breakthrough.

Marcus Thuram is on for the French striker whose shift is over for the day. Mixed scorecard for the forward, one feels.

65 mins: France 1-0 Denmark

Mbappe scores for France after a smart one-two with Hernandez down France’s left. That one had been coming and is no less than Les Blues deserve.

61 mins: France 1-0 Denmark

Can he convert his form into a goal?

The centre back is spun by the Frenchman, and even his attempts to foul him do not come off. Mbappé charges 40 metres at goal, but his shot is tipped over by Schmeichel. He’s lighting up this game even if we’re still waiting for a goal.

59 mins: France 0-0 Denmark

Dembele and Mbappe again almost combine, but the Barcelona player’s through ball is swept up well by Schmeichel who was quick to come off his line. At the other end, Braithwaite looks like he’s got a golden opportunity but the linesman correctly flags for offside.

56 mins: France 0-0 Denmark

With Dembélé on one side and Mbappé on the other, the Danish back five are being run ragged here. Mbappé makes one of those tearing runs down the left and crosses towards Dembélé, who can’t quite control the ball.

He almost steers it back to Mbappé though, but Schmeichel collects.

51 mins: France 0-0 Denmark