attractive, the Blues dominate Denmark and rotate in the round of 16

It’s always safe to be skeptical, especially when it comes to football. This allows you not to relax your guard. On Saturday, November 26, the French team shed much of the pessimism that had plagued it before it arrived at this World Cup. Four days after a smooth success against Australia (4-1), the Blues won a great victory over Denmark (2-1).

Kylian Mbappe scored twice and the Habs have already qualified for the round of 16. The first place in group D is almost certain, because France, which is the first with 6 points, has a favorable goal difference: + 4 against – 2 for the Australians, second with 3 points.

In contrast to their lackluster start to Tuesday’s match, the Blues immediately played their football against Denmark, the toughest opponent in the group. Danish Dynamite defeated the French team twice in the Nations League this year, the last time in September in Copenhagen (2:0).

Coach Casper Hjulmand’s men, cool and unrecognizable in relation to the football revolution, may have made Didier Deschamps’ job a little easier. But it would be unfair to blame the Habs’ good performance on the poor form of their strong rivals.

Ousmane Dembele everywhere

In the architecturally daring 974 Stadium, made up of containers as big as its name, captain Hugo Lloris’ teammates were inspired and displayed an exciting confidence for the rest of the tournament.

At the back, Dayot Upamecano, who exudes a mix of technical assurance and power, is essential, along with nightmare boss Raphaël Varane. In a free-flowing electronic role in the middle, Antoine Griezmann finds his level in big competitions as sometimes torchbearer, sometimes playmaker. On Saturday night, he embarrassed Euro 2021 prodigy Christan Eriksen, a prodigy who is returning from a heart attack.

On the right, Ousmane Dembélé didn’t just attack and dribble – he’s one of the best in the world – he also defended. A new attitude for FC Barcelona’s troublemaker, who has often suffered injuries and frustrations. In Russia 2018, he started the title World Cup, not disappointing in the first match and finishing the campaign on the bench.

One of the group’s entertainers in Doha does not want to relive such an unfortunate incident. Facing Denmark, the ex-Renn multiplies, substitutes, tackles, defends with headers. He knows the importance of the word balance to his coach.

His partner on the right wing, Jules Kounde, needs the activity of his Catalan teammate. That right-back position—within the four-man defense restored by Didier Deschamps—remains the dark spot of this start to the World Cup. Against the Australians, Benjamin Pavard was in trouble, opening the scoring in one of the Socceroos’ setbacks. Second choice, Koundé, had less success on his World Cup debut.

at 10^e minute, Theo Hernandez, replacing older brother Lucas Hernandez, doubles with Kylian Mbappe – a promising pairing on the left – whose center is headed in by Adrien Rabiot, but the Danish defense holds it. Extremist in front of Olivier Giroud.

Denmark struggle to win the game. Andreas Cornelius, a centre-forward with the false air of a centre-back, was particularly illustrated in the first forty-five minutes when Griezmann cleared his head with a fine free-kick. Joakim Maehle defends himself after Varane’s header at the next corner (13^e min).

on the 20th^e In the minute of the game, “Grizou” takes Mbappe out of his feet. The Parisians are about to break through the Danish defense when Andreas Christensen does nothing but intercept the French star. According to Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, the simple yellow card did not ruin the Chelsea defender’s scoring chance.

Minutes later, Upamecano’s high clearance allows Griezmann to have fun in the box. His brutal low shot was saved by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. At 40^eThe Bayern Munich defender finds a great opening above the opposition cages for Dembélé, whose center is immediately intercepted by Mbappe.

Mbappe has three goals in the World Cup

Dominating and confident in their strength, the French players did not slow down in the second half. Griezmann is the first to come close to opening the score. Tricky, he chests ahead of his defender to make way for goal. His effort flew over the crossbar (60^e). A minute later, Mbappe’s effectiveness is undeniable. After a “one-two” double with Théo Hernandez, the Parisian scored his second goal of the competition, the first of the match (1-0).

Fine mechanics can go wrong. Dayot Upamecano, who had been flawless until then, lost an aerial duel with Joachim Andersen; the ex-Lyonais deflects the ball for Andreas Christensen to equalize from close range (68).^e, 1-1). Five minutes later, the troubled Blues are coming very close to an upset. A cross from Mikkel Damsgaard allows Jesper Lindström to trouble the onrushing Hugo Lloris (73).^e).

On the French side, Deschamps replaces the restrained Giroud Marcus Thuram under the supervision of his father Lilian in the stands. It’s still a bit tight, with Varane making way for Ibrahima Konate and Dembele for Kingsley Coman.

If the best team does not always win, the French team did not want to give credit to the glorious uncertainty of football. It is Kylian Mbappe’s upper right thigh that gives the blues a well-deserved victory (86).^e, 2-1). Antoine Griezmann, pass, decisive again.

Mbappé, the author of the winning double, now has three achievements at this World Cup. The Paris Saint-Germain striker, orphaned by Karim Benzema, has shown that he is capable of shouldering the attacking responsibilities of the French team on his own.

Didier Deschamps’ men will look to confirm their top spot in their third Group D match against Tunisia on Wednesday, November 30 at the Education City Stadium. An opportunity for Deschamps to try things out, rest certain bosses and give others a chance. A luxury that has generally been successful for the Blues, who have won their first two games each time they have been world champions.