Both France and Denmark did the bare minimum to go through after the first goalless draw of the World Cup in Russia.
Les Bleus had already qualified with two wins, but neither of them were remotely convincing, so Didier Deschamps made wholesale changes to his line-up. The Danes were in second place and unbeaten in 17 games, but with Australia within reach and lost William Kvist to a serious injury.
There hasn’t been a single goalless draw so far in the World Cup and this game looked like a genuine contender to end that streak from the very start.
Both France and Denmark did the bare minimum to go through after the first goalless draw of the World Cup in Russia.
Les Bleus had already qualified with two wins, but neither of them were remotely convincing, so Didier Deschamps made wholesale changes to his line-up. The Danes were in second place and unbeaten in 17 games, but with Australia within reach and lost William Kvist to a serious injury.
There hasn’t been a single goalless draw so far in the World Cup and this game looked like a genuine contender to end that streak from the very start.
Denmark only needed a point to qualify, France a point to ensure top spot and both sides seemed perfectly happy with the status quo.
Christian Eriksen caused some problems, first running on to an assist by Atalanta striker Andreas Cornelius, then with a long-range free kick that Steve Mandanda pushed into the path of Henrik Dalsgaard.
Eriksen also drilled just wide, while France substitute Nabil Fekir almost immediately testing Kasper Schmeichel and then struck the side-netting.
It was a dismal game and the crowd let it be known with deafening jeers at the final whistle.
Denmark 0-0 France
Denmark: Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Kjaer, Christensen, Stryger; Delaney (Lerager 92), M Jorgensen, Eriksen; Sisto (Fischer 60), Cornelius (Dolberg 75), Braithwaite
France: Mandanda; Sidibe, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez (Mendy 50); Kante, Nzonzi; Dembele (Mbappé 78), Griezmann (Fekir 68), Lemar; Giroud
Ref: Ricci (BRA)