Mbappe's double goal won France in the last sixteen

Kylian Mbappe scored 2 goals against Denmark.  Photo: Khaleej Times

For France the equation was a straight snake. The second round is guaranteed with a win. But in order to win, Denmark's defense wall must be broken. France couldn't do it despite trying hard for the entire first half. Kylian Mbappe wasted the opportunity to take a quick shot.

But the PSG star changed himself in the second half. He sent the ball into Denmark's net twice with a cool head. Even if they paid once, the Danes had to leave the field behind in the end.

Qatar became the first team to reach the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-1 win for the reigning champions.

Denmark is in danger of being knocked out of the first round after losing to France. A total of 1 points due to a draw with Tunisia in the previous match. To go to the next round, they have to win the last match against Australia. Australia is also dreaming of the last sixteen thanks to the 3 points they lost to Tunisia.

In the match at Stadium 974, France played strongly from the beginning. Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe created several opportunities in the first half, Ousmane Dembele. Giroud got the first easy chance to score in the 10th minute. The forward, who was waiting to overtake Thierry Henry in goal tally, found the ball in front of goal. But he could not put his feet. The next good chance came from midfielder Adrien Rabiot. In the 22nd minute, Dembele crossed into the D box from the right side. Rabio, who is in place, also takes the head properly. But Kasper Smeikel, who had an eye on the ball, jumped and blocked the shot in exchange for a corner.

Denmark also tried to attack by keeping the ball in possession. But Mikael Damsgaard, Jesper Lindstrom were stuck in the middle near Aurelien Chuameni, Rabiot. The few times he managed to break through the French defense, it was also with long passes. However, it was France who repeatedly attacked the Danish defense and created good opportunities. In the 40th minute, Dembele extended the ball from the right side to the D box. Mbappe got the ball unguarded. But while taking a hasty shot, he threw the ball in the air. The first half ended in a goalless draw.

Even after the break, Denmark started the game with neat passes. Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Giroud had a dynamic game against the relatively slow Danes. However, Mbappe's goal in the 60th minute came from a set shot. Theo Hernandez penetrated the Danish defense by giving and taking passes. Chota D sends the ball brilliantly from the side of the box to Mbappe. The PSG forward coolly sent the ball into the net after melting the gap between the two defenders standing in front.

Denmark woke up after conceding the goal. Brings speed to the game. The desired goal came in the 68th minute. The ball from Christian Eriksen's corner goes past Joakim Andersson in front of Andreas Christiansen. The center back, playing in Barcelona, ​​tilted his head slightly and sent the ball into the net from close range.

However, the Danes could not maintain this equality for long. In the 86th minute, Griezmann raised a measured cross in the Denmark D box. Waiting for the opportunity, Mbappe put the ball in the net very close to the goal line. It was his 14th goal in the last 12 matches for France.

Didier Deschamps' team kept Denmark at bay for the remainder of the period, focusing more on defense.