On Saturday, Kylian Mbappe scored twice as reigning champions France defeated Denmark 2-1 to advance as the first team to the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar.
After a deft one-two with teammate Theo Hernandez, Mbappe gave France the lead in the Group D match just after the hour mark with a prodded finish. However, Denmark fought back with a thunderous header from defender Andreas Christensen to tie the game.
A late cross from Antoine Griezmann was converted by the Paris Saint-Germain striker, ensuring France’s perfect record as they continue their World Cup championship defense. With 31 goals for France, Mbappe is currently tied for second place on the nation’s all-time scoring chart with Zinedine Zidane.
Following the outcome on Saturday, France now leads Group D with six points, three more than second-place Australia, while Denmark is yet to record a victory with just a point after two games.
France had the better chances in a tight, tense first half as Adrien Rabiot came close with a header and the Danes were pushed into several last-ditch blocks to preserve their clean sheet.
Mbappe gave the French the lead in the 61st minute by capping an excellent high-speed French attack with a bouncing first-time goal off Hernandez’s deft pull-back.
Seven minutes later, Christensen, who is always a threat from set pieces, brought the Danes even by sneaking in behind the defense and stooping to head the ball home.
In the 80th minute, Rabiot launched a magnificent volley over but neither team appeared pleased with a draw. A minute later, replacement Martin Braithwaite launched a first-time effort of his own but it went just wide of the near post.
When Mbappe came up at the far post in the 86th minute to deflect a close-range Griezmann cross to restore the lead and send the visiting French fans into raptures, it appeared as though the game might end in a tie.
The French held on for the victory that advanced them as Denmark sent everything forward in search of a second equalizer, leaving plenty of space at the back. However, their late attacks against a team they defeated twice in the most recent Nations League campaign lacked finesse.
