Denmark 0-0 France
It had the makings of a good game but what transpired barely passed itself off as a game of football. France had already qualified but Denmark could have jumped them to set up a potentially easier tie in the last 16 with a win.
There was hardly even a chance to speak of with Steve Mandanda and Kasper Schmeichel enjoying a calm and controlled day in goals. They now wait to see who wins Group D and who finished second but one this is certain. They will both need to improve immeasurably if they fancy a pass into the quarter-finals.
Age Hareide’s Danish Dynamite sit on four points in Group C, two behind Didier Deschamps’ France, who must avoid defeat in the Luzhniki Stadium to claim top spot and a last 16 game against the runners-up in Group D, which remains wide open with Argentina, Iceland and current second-placed side Nigeria.
Denmark could still go out in the group stage if they lose and Australia beat Peru, who have yet to get off the mark in Russia. Hareide is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that drew with the Socceroos last time out. As ever, Denmark will look to talisman Christian Eriksen, who netted the opener in that match, to provide the creative spark against France but Hareide will also be aware that both of his starting wingers, Pione Sisto and Yussuf Yurary Poulsen are a caution away from suspension for a potential last 16 encounter with Croatia.
Deschamps also has the same issue to consider with Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi both on a yellow card but the France boss won’t take any chances of missing out on top spot and will field his strongest possible team. Whether that will include Antoine Griezmann, who has yet to find the net in Russia from open play and has been criticised for his form in some national media outlets, remains to be seen: Deschamps has arguably the strongest squad at the tournament and was able to leave the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Thomas Lemar, Nabil Fekir and Florian Thauvin on the bench against Peru.
The Les Bleus’ coach opted for a physical approach up top in that game with the presence of Olivier Giroud and will likely do the same against a towering Danish defence who are rarely outgunned in aerial challenges.
Hareide caused some controversy last month by describing France as “nothing special.” Deschamps will be more than happy to prove him wrong, not least because his much-fancied side have yet to fire in Russia. His Danish counterpart will hope that his observation will not come back to bite him in the backside if results elsewhere do not go his way.
