Qatar 2022: Mbappe scores a brace as France defeat Denmark 2-1

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France defeated Denmark 2-1 to become the first team to reach the last-16 stage of the Qatar World Cup.

France didn’t break through until Mbappe finished off an incredible move just before the hour mark.

Seven minutes later, Andreas Christensen scored a close-range header past Hugo Lloris, and replacement Martin Braithwaite hit the post.

Mbappe, on the other hand, proved decisive in the 86th minute when he bundled in Antoine Griezmann’s right-wing cross.

Denmark was seeking to become the first side to upset France three times in a calendar year, having already defeated Les Bleus in Nations League games in June and September of this year. After a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, the Danes needed to win at Stadium 974.

After a right-wing cross from Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud headed wide early on. Mbappe was then hauled down by Christensen as he attempted to run clear onto a Griezmann ball, earning him a yellow card. It could have easily been a red.

Adrien Rabiot’s header was excellently saved by Kasper Schmeichel, and Mbappe missed a great chance. Denmark did not have a shot until the 36th minute, with France having had ten efforts by that point, and when it did, Andreas Cornelius’ breakaway effort went wide.

The French irritation grew, but the breakthrough came in the 61st minute, when Mbappe and Theo Hernandez connected down the left, with Hernandez cutting the ball back for Mbappe to finish past Schmeichel with the help of a deflection.

If France believed the game was likely over, Denmark had other plans and leveled in the 68th minute when Christensen stooped to head in from a corner.

As France rushed, Rabiot’s scissor-kick volley went just wide, and the winner came from a brilliant cross from Griezmann that was received just in front of Schmeichel by Mbappe, who timed his run perfectly and could barely miss.