World Cup Qatar 2022
group d / day 2
Two goals from the PSG star topple a combative Denmark and certify France’s qualification for the round of 16
The premieres in a World Cup weigh on the anxiety accumulated in the days before the ball starts rolling and because a defeat as soon as it arrives leaves you with water around your neck. But in reality it is the second days that begin to put everyone in their place and lead the way in competitions as intense as that of Qatar, with matches concentrated on very few dates and almost no time to recover mentally and physically.
France martyred by a plague of injuries that has also left Benzema without a tournament has jumped onto the grass of the spectacular and colorful 974 Stadium, now known as the field of containers, aware that another victory after the rout in his debut against Australia opened the doors of the round of 16 wide for him. Denmark, after the unexpected draw in their debut against Tunisia, has looked in the face of the Gauls from the beginning, but with extreme prudence. Undoubtedly, the fear of defeat has stiffened the legs of the Nordics, whose physical power is useless against teams that are equal in that facet.
Casualties or not, the truth is that competing against Didier Deschamps’ France is an extreme challenge. The mix of physique, speed and talent makes her an almost lethal machine that is very difficult to stop. If the French find their rhythm from midfield, with Griezmman, Dembélé and Mbappé, stopping them is an almost impossible mission no matter how many trenches are raised. The Danes, hierarchical, seasoned and with a military air in their discipline, have tried to put the game to sleep, sedate the opponent with a tiring, lethargic staging. But every time France has gone up their lines have been blown to shreds.
The current world champions have played with flashes in the first part, convinced that at some point they would be right. With a Dembélé very plugged in on the right wing –his crosses into the area have been sensational–, they have had several options to score. But inexperience in some cases and Schmeichel’s interventions in others have thwarted them. Denmark has only come in danger on one occasion, a shot by Cornelius that went wide after a fast counterattack well interpreted by the Nordics.
Matter of time
It seemed a matter of time before France delivered the blow. He has done it in the 61st minute through Mbappé and the script already pointed to a placid half hour, of control. Nothing is further from reality. Shortly after, at the exit of a corner, Christensen broke it with a header that seized the French engine and left him frozen. Then tension, alternatives, arrivals in both areas. Until the PSG star has emerged from nowhere to make the second and propel his team, the first to have secured qualification for the round of 16 in this World Cup. Denmark will play it with Australia.
