France and Denmark played out the first goalless draw of the 2018 World Cup - but both progress to the last 16 of the competition.
Les Bleus finished top of the group despite another uninspiring display, while Peru's win over Australia confirmed Denmark's place in the knockout stages.
The two teams struggled in a goalless first half with the first Mexican wave starting after 20 minutes, the action restricted to Ousmane Dembele blazing over from outside the box just before the break.
France, already qualified, used the match as an opportunity to give several squad players some game time, making for a disjointed performance.
Denmark still had work to do to ensure qualification for the last 16, but Peru's early goal in the other Group C match meant Australia's chances of progressing ahead of the Danes looked slim. A second Peru goal after half-time made qualification all but certain.
France, the group winner, will play the Group D runner-up — potentially Argentina — on Saturday in Kazan. Denmark may have gotten the better of the bargain, though: an extra day of rest, a shorter trip and possibly an easier game, on the easier side of the bracket, in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday. That may explain why it seemed so content with its lot.
“We just needed one point, right?” Denmark Coach Age Hareide acknowledged afterward. “We were up against one of the best teams in the world at counterattacks, and we would have been stupid to open up spaces. So we played back whenever we could.”
A first-half of rare chances gave way to a second half with almost none. By the hour mark, the crowd of 78,000 plus had turned on both teams, whistling loudly when first France, and then Denmark, shuffled the ball around midfield showing little intent. When Antoine Griezmann, France’s best scoring threat, went off for the substitute Nabil Fekir in the 68th minute, the crowd greeted his departure with more jeers.
The match had promised much better: France had been annoyed by some pre-World Cup digs by Hareide, who had dismissed its players as “nothing special” and “unable to play as a team” in an interview comparing this France team to the country’s 1998 World Cup champions. He had even taken a shot at France’s star midfielder Paul Pogba, joking that he spent far more time on his hairstyles than he should.
“It is not nice for him to say that,” France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, had told the journalists a day before the game, adding: “My players know and remember what he said.”
And in addition to that motivation, the French had seemed to find their footing with two wins, and Denmark could have won the group outright with a victory. It even came out with more fire, as Martin Braithwaite twice sliced through into the penalty area on the right.
But without Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Kylian Mbappé to press the attack — they were held out of the lineup by Deschamps for rest or, at least in Pogba’s case, to avoid a yellow-card suspension — and with Peru taking out the Australians early in Sochi, the game in Moscow quickly descended into what appeared to be a willing stalemate, the kind of match remembered for the play of Kanté, not goal-creators like Griezmann and Denmark’s Christian Eriksen.
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
“It’s not been a very exciting match at the end, because the Danish team was O.K. with having a draw because they would qualify,” Deschamps said in acknowledging the obvious. “One point for the draw was good enough for them, and we didn’t have to take risks to do better because this result was good for everyone.”
And so the teams danced instead. And when Denmark ran up the white flag for real, passing between its center backs for a full 30 seconds in the 85th minute, the boos and whistles were louder than the anticipatory cheers for the anthems two hours earlier. But sometimes fans don’t get what they want.
On Tuesday, only France and Denmark did.
2018-06-26T18:00:00.000Z World Cup 2018: Denmark vs. France Home Game Info Away Denmark France
Here’s how Denmark and France played to a 0-0 draw:
Game Over: Tournament’s First 0-0 Draw
France and Denmark knew going in that a draw would send both teams through to the next round. And sure enough, they played to a draw in Moscow on Tuesday, the first 0-0 draw of the tournament. The fans in the stadium took exception to the lackadaisical style of play, jeering both sides.
88’: Are They Even Trying?
France continues to probe halfheartedly for a goal. Denmark’s main strategy seems to be passing the ball back and forth between its center backs.
82’: Brace for the Booing
France is dominating at the moment, and Fekir in particular looks like he’s trying to make a mark. But we are only a few minutes away from the tournament’s first 0-0 game.
Andrew Das: Giroud appeals for a penalty as he’s wrestled down in the area — the crowd, sensing even the chance of a goal, perks up — but the referee immediately waves it away, and our dream of a goal here today dies another death.
79’: Mbappé Checks in for France
Here comes France wunderkind Mbappé, checking into the game for Dembele. Perhaps he’ll put a charge into the action.
73’: Delaney Injures Arm
Delaney of Denmark goes down with an arm injury and howls in pain. But he has the presence of mind to kick out at the ball lying beside him and clear it out of danger.
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
71’: Fekir Dives In
New man Fekir immediately tries out his shooting shoes but hits the side netting.
68’: Griezmann Out
That’s it for another one of the regular French starters, Griezmann. Fekir will check in.
Fans Getting Restless
Andrew Das: Two brutal balls in a row from Dembele and Lemar: The first a shorted lead ball on the wing that was easily intercepted, and the second a nonsensical one directly into the sign boards at midfield. The fans have turned on both teams, with loud whistles filling the stadium now.
59’: Eriksen Tries to Make His Mark
Eriksen in the half-moon whips one just wide for Denmark.
The Effort is There ...
Photo
But still no goals for France and Denmark.
55’: Mandanda Gets Save on Free Kick
There’s always hope for Denmark when Eriksen stands over a free kick, though this one is from far away. And Mandanda spills the save, but pounces on it quickly.
52’: Goal in the Other Game!
Guerrero, that captain scores it. Peru just about kills off Australia’s chances with that one, taking a 2-0 lead.
Andrew Das: Peru’s Paulo Guerrero scores in Sochi — first goal of the tournament — and Australia looks sunk. It’s 2-0 there now, and the goalless dance currently underway here in Moscow — if it holds — would see France win the group and Denmark follow them through in second.
52: Griezmann Tries Again
Griezmann from distance, and he draws a save, but it’s easy.
49’: Shirt-Tugging?
The second half begins like the first, with France painstakingly bringing the ball forward, or at least sideways. The move ends with a cross into the box, a missed header and some complaints about shirt-tugging.
0’: Second Half Underway
France has its short-passing game cranked up, making 375 passes and completing 86 percent of them. The question is whether it can get through Denmark’s 11-man defense. Denmark, which has managed only two shots so far, will continue to rely on counterattacks and longer balls.
The second halves get underway in Moscow and Sochi. Australia needs at least two goals.
During the Break: Spot the Ball!
We’ve pulled some photos from group stage games and made one very important change — we removed the ball. See if you can guess where it was.
Halftime: Still Scoreless
Denmark break and force a corner. Greizmann comes up with it and races three quarters of the field the other way before being pulled down. And that’s halftime. In Sochi, Peru continues to lead Australia, 1-0. France and Denmark are looking like they will advance comfortably.
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
Andrew Das: France is playing like a team that knows it needs only a tie to win the group. Willing to accept a goal if it comes, but also not pushing as hard for one as it might have with Mbappé and Pogba in the team today. A goal by Denmark might open things up a bit, but its early adventurousness seems to have faded a bit on a hot afternoon in Moscow. Maybe a break will refresh everyone.
Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You will receive emails containing news content , updates and promotions from The New York Times. You may opt-out at any time. You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters.
45+1’: Dembele Isn’t Close
France continues to dominate possession. Dembele launches a shot into the stratosphere.
45’: Obvious Offside
Griezmann gets behind the defense, but he’s offside. And Giroud put his pass over the bar anyway.
Andrew Das: A bit of a bizarre sequence there, as Griezmann looked offside to everyone in the Luzhniki except the linesman. But Giroud blasts his cutback over the crossbar, and only then does the flag come up. Hmmmmmm ....
Other Game: Don’t Count Out Australia
Andrew Das: In the other game in Group C, the Fisht Stadium in Sochi must be rocking: Peru has scored at last, its first goal of the World Cup. It leads Australia, 1-0, late in the first half on a volley by Andre Carillo. Be happy for Peru: They’ve deserved much better than they’ve gotten in Russia. And don’t count out the Australians, who have rallied before.
But Australia needs more than a goal to advance: It needs a win, probably by a goal or two, and a Denmark loss. Peru is already out.
40’: No Good from Griezmann
Griezmann, one of France’s stars in the lineup today, tries his luck from the edge of the box and forces a save.
39’: Does Anyone Want to Score?
There’s hasn’t been a 0-0 game yet at the World Cup, but my goodness does this have the look of one.
34’: Dembele Goes Wide
Dembele belts a shot wide for France. The game is opening up a little.
30’: Denmark Misses Its Chance
Eriksen races after a through ball and he’s behind the defense! He gets to the ball at the same instant as keeper Mandanda and goes down. No call.
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
Andrew Das: Huge chance there for Denmark, out of almost nothing. But Mandanda surges out to meet Eriksen and the superb cross from Cornelius on the left, and out of the wreckage, France clears.
29: France Has Possession Edge
France dominating possession so far, 65-34 percent. Denmark is content to sit back, absorb the pressure and counter.
26’: Lemar’s Free Kick is Blocked
Thomas Lemar, one of the smallest men on the field, goes down and earns France a free kick. He takes himself, beats the wall, but finds a cluster of red shirts.
Good News, Bad News for France
Andrew Das: France keeps creating chances, which is good, and then keeps wasting them, which is not. They may come to regret that.
24’: Eriksen’s Corner Cleared
Another corner to Denmark, and of course Eriksen takes. Headed away. There are those who said this game would lack intensity. That goes double if it becomes clear that Australia will not win and the stakes get even lower.
For the greatest drama, the neutral fan should hope France and Australia score, which would put Denmark under the gun.
19’: Other Game: Peru Takes Lead
In the other game, Peru scores! Carrillo! It’s Peru’s first goal of the tournament and puts Australia in a bad spot. Unless Australia comes back to win, France and Denmark will go through no matter what happens here.
16’: Giroud Denied
Chance for France. Hernandez gets the ball in the box and falls over, but doesn’t get a call. The ball finds its way to Giroud, who shoots high, but Schmeichel is there to punch it away.
Advertisement Continue reading the main story
13’: Slow Start for Both Sides
Careful play on both sides. Denmark has the only shot and it was not on net.
6’: Eriksen’s Header Misses
Denmark earns the first corner. Christian Eriksen takes, but a header by Kjaer goes awry. With Poulsen suspended, Eriksen becomes all the more important to Denmark.
4’: France Looks Organized
This new-look France team starts off passing well and defending effectively. No chances yet, but also no signs of disorganization or confusion.
Andrew Das: Martin Braithwaite is proving to be quite a handful for France on the right. Had a penalty appeal early (the call looked right) and he just split the defense again. The French will have to get a handle on him; he looks like a battering ram so far, just willing the ball through.
Kickoff in Moscow!
France in white, Denmark in red. Meanwhile, down in Sochi, Australia kicks off against Peru.
Copy Link Icon
France vs Denmark: Live Updates, Score and Reaction from World Cup Game
France (National Football) vs Denmark (National Football)
Moscow
Group C in the World Cup concludes on Tuesday, with France and Denmark set to do battle for top spot in the table. France are already through to the knockout stages after two wins from two games, but Denmark need a point to guarantee their progression. The Danes could still qualify with a defeat if Australia do not beat Peru in the other game in the group, so expect this one to be a little cagey. But with the likes of Paul Pogba and Christian Eriksen on show, expect some classy moments.
FRANCE secured first place ahead of Denmark in Group C on Tuesday following a 0-0 draw in Moscow that could set up a heavyweight World Cup clash with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the last 16.
Didier Deschamps’ side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark, who will likely meet Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.
France have scored just three times in three games in Russia, including a penalty and an own goal, and it was another disjointed display from one of the title favourites.
They will discover their opponents in the next round later on Tuesday, with Argentina needing to beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg to stand a chance of qualifying.
Group Stage Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre Visit Match Centre
Deschamps rested captain Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, with the Manchester United midfielder a booking away from suspension, while Kylian Mbappe was also left out among six changes.
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 33, made his first appearance at a major tournament, having been an unused substitute at the last three European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.
Denmark's Andreas Cornelius, center left, and Thomas Delaney. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) Source: AP
After much debate about the video assistant referee (VAR) following further controversy on Monday, it was inevitable any penalty area tussles would prompt strong appeals at the Luzhniki Stadium.
There have already been 20 penalties given at this World Cup, a tournament record before the group stage has even concluded.
Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite laid an early claim after going down under pressure from Presnel Kimpembe, although there appeared minimal contact at best.
France had a penalty shout of their own when Henrik Dalsgaard slid in on Lucas Hernandez, with Kasper Schmeichel tipping behind Olivier Giroud’s looping follow-up effort.
Committed play from Thomas Delaney saw him release Andreas Cornelius down the left flank but Christian Eriksen was unable to apply a finishing touch as Mandanda and Hernandez combined to clear.
France's forward Antoine Griezman. / AFP PHOTO / Juan Mabromata Source: AFP
Antoine Griezmann then shot tamely at Schmeichel from 20 yards, the Atletico Madrid forward’s biggest contribution coming just before the break when he sparked a threatening counter that drew a cynical foul from Mathias Jorgensen.
A bystander for long periods, Mandanda was nearly caught out by a speculative Eriksen free-kick as he spilled before pouncing on the rebound just ahead of Cornelius.
A miscued clearance from Djibril Sidibe soon presented Eriksen with another chance, the Tottenham star dragging wide of the target on this occasion.
Denmark's Andreas Cornelius, left, and France's Samuel Umtiti. (AP Photo/David Vincent) Source: AP
Nabil Fekir was introduced for Griezmann for the final 20 minutes, and the Lyon forward looked lively right away as he hammered a shot just the wrong side of the post.
Mbappe was introduced late on for an ineffective Ousmane Dembele, but it was again Fekir who went closest to ending the impasse with a low, bouncing shot that forced Schmeichel into a sharp save.
Loud jeers from a sold-out crowd of 78,011 greeted the final whistle although it was a result that suited both sides as Denmark, now unbeaten in 18 matches, reached the latter stages of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
FRANCE v DENMARK LIVE MATCH CENTRE
GROUP C: SOCCEROOS vs PERU
FOLLOW LIVE! (If you can’t see the blog, click here)
