Mbappé offers victory to the Blues, France first qualified for the 8th

Published on : 26/11/2022 – 18:56Modified : 26/11/2022 – 19:05

The third is the good one! After two defeats in June and September against Denmark, France finally beat their new pet peeve, Saturday, November 26, during the World Cup. The Blues have long sought the key to the Danish safe and had to wait until the last moments for Mbappé to offer them victory.

Didier Deschamps had slightly reshuffled his team compared to Australia. Exit Benjamin Pavard whose performance had been considered disappointing, he leaves his place to Jules Koundé while Raphaël Varane returns to resume his role as boss of the defense. The French team assumes its ambitions and quickly takes control of the debates in front of the 5,000 French spectators present at the 974 stadium. At the end of a good collective sequence, Théo Hernandez sends a cross for Adrien Rabiot who delivers directly for Giroud. But the French striker fails to resume (9^e). Then, on a free kick from Griezmann, the Danish defense removes a ball from the head of Raphael Varane. Just like on the following corner (12^e).

The Danish defense seems powerless against the French armada. Like Christensen, who can only make a gross mistake to stop an acceleration from Mbappé. Instantly, Griezmann shifts Dembélé who addresses one of his centers which he has the secret to Giroud. His header is well placed but Schmeichel comes out with a good save (20^e).

The Danes then put their foot on the ball a little but the authoritarian defenses of Théo Hernandez and Jules Koundé methodically annihilate all the offensives. On a Danish counter-attack, Damsgaard still manages to fix Upamecano to launch Cornelius deep. The latter shoots too hard but misses the frame of Hugo Lloris by a few centimeters (36^e).

A record helpless half-time

On an impeccable recovery, Upamecano then launches his childhood friend Ousmane Dembélé on the right side. This last center back for Mbappé, near the penalty spot. But the Parisian sends the strike into the stands (40^e). Like his team, too imprecise. At half-time, the Blues had 13 shots, a record without scoring in a major competition.

The Danish Dynamite are much more explosive in the second half. Hugo Lloris must win, after Victor Nelsson’s header (52^e). Then, Martin Braithwaite, who entered at half-time, was found in the area and lonely against Hugo Lloris. Fortunately for the Blues, he is reported offside (55^e).

Kylian Mbappé, however, finally releases his people. The Parisian striker is at the origin and at the conclusion of the action. After serving Theo Hernandez, he is found back and places an unstoppable flat foot (61^e, 1-0). In the process, Didier Deschamps brings out Olivier Giroud, who will therefore have to wait to beat Thierry Henry’s record and win the title of top scorer in the history of the Blues. Marcus Thuram takes his place.

The French team opens the scoring thanks to Kylian Mbappé! The Parisian striker is at the origin and at the conclusion of the action. After having served Adrien Rabiot wonderfully, he is found back and places an unstoppable flat foot. There you go, the Blues come out on top in this meeting.

But the Danes have resources. They equalize almost immediately. On a corner, the ball returns to Andreas Christensen, who gets the better of Adrien Rabiot and deceives Hugo Lloris with a header (68^e, 1-1). But the French goalkeeper saved the country in stride by preventing Denmark from taking the advantage (73^e).

The two teams surrender in quick succession in the final minutes. On a corner from Griezmann, the head of Aurélien Tchouaméni is too uncrossed (78^e) while Adrien Rabiot tries an acrobatic scissor (79^e). But Braithwaite touches the post of a Hugo Lloris who was beaten (80^e).

It is still Kylian Mbappé who comes to deliver the France team. Antoine Griezmann sends him a millimeter center at the far post and the prodigy of Bondy takes the snatch and scores the winning goal (86th, 2-1).

A victory on the wire which is very precious. The France team becomes the first selection officially qualified for the round of 16. With a third game without stake, if not the first place in group D, Didier Deschamps offers himself the possibility of rotating. On the other hand, Denmark will have to fight in a three-way match with Tunisia and Australia, which they face.