France have booked their spot in the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a game to spare after a brace by Kylian Mbappe against Denmark.
France 2-1 Denmark
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the match as France beat stubborn Denmark 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Group G match at Stadium 974 (ad-Doha) in Doha on Friday night.
It looked like France would have to wait for another day in booking their spot in the knockout stages as the game was locked 1-1, Mbappe met Antoine Griezmann’s cross at the back post to nod it with the thigh before the added time.
Mbappe scored the first goal in the 61st minute, converting a cut back from Theo Fernandez having started the move.
But the lead did not take long for world champions as Andreas Christensen poked the equaliser from close range six minutes later. But Mbappe stole it late to see France become the first nation to reach the knockout stages.
France had chances to win the game before that but Raphael Varane and Adrien Rabiot had headers – one palmed away by Kasper Schmeichel while the latter was cleared off the line.
Olivier Giroud was looking for a landmark goal for France after he equalled Thierry Henry’s 51st career national team goal after scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Australia in the first group stage match.
While the AC Milan striker had chances then, he was marshalled well by Danes on this occasion before he was taken off.
France will now look to complete the formalities on Wednesday against bottom side Tunisia. The Danes, who have two points on the group, will know that victory against Australia will be enough to see them reach the knockout stages.
Australia 1-0 Tunisia
The task for Tunisia in the FIFA World Cup has been made hard after losing 1-0 to Australia in Group D match at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah on Saturday.
The Socceroos bounced back after losing 4-1 to tournament favourites and world champions France in the first group stage match.
For Tunisia, they came to this game after drawing with Denmark, a match they created plenty of chances but they were poor in front of goals.
Looking at how they went about their business in that game, they showed little of that against Australia, who they were meeting for the first time in the World Cup, but second in the FIFA tournament.
Tunisia beat Australia 2-0 in the FIFA Confederation Cup in 2005 in Germany, a tournament that was used as a dress rehearsal before the World Cup.
But Australia had other ideas in this game today, as they started well, pressing Tunisia on the back foot.
Mitchell Duke scored the all-important goal when he guided a header following a pint-point delivery by Craig Goodwin in the 23rd minute.
However, Tunisia replied back and Youssef Msakni came close for an equaliser, meeting Issam Jebali’s cutback in the added time but went wide, in what was a good passage of play by the North African side.
Tunisia has just two wins in the World Cup since making its debut in the competition in 1978 in Argentina. They beat Mexico in their first group-stage match then and had to wait until 2018 when they beat Panama.
For Australia, they ended their seven-game winless streak in the World Cup, with their last win coming against Serbia in the 2010 World Cup in Mzansi.
Tunisia, now bottom of the Group D, have a difficult last game against France while Australia will face Denmark on Wednesday, with all matches taking place simultaneously.
