France 0 Denmark 0 – World Cup 2022 LIVE SCORE: Varane and Mbappe START for France as Eriksen in midfield for Danes

France 0-0 Denmark

7 – If this was a redundant website, it might be called Friends Reunited.

So many current and former team-mates in opposition although the key battle might be Christensen against Giroud, one that took place so many times on the training ground at Cobham.

France 0-0 Denmark

6 – Dembele with some great defensive work and a mazy run from his own half.

It doesn’t amount to anything but it has the crowd on their feet.

France 0-0 Denmark

4 – Mbappe wins it but the Danes get it straight back!

Good start from the side in white and red.

France 0-0 Denmark

3 – The Danes start with a back three with wing-backs Kristensen and Maehle high up the field.

Not sure Les Bleus have touched the ball yet.

France 0-0 Denmark

1 – Here we go!

Denmark start with possession and knock it comfortably around as the fans start a “viking clap”.

The French fans start their “allez”.

Both sets of players are out!

The lads march out and perform the national anthems.

The atmosphere builds as we near kick-off.

Big tie this.

More on Giroud’s record

The ex-Chelsea man scored a brace earlier this week in the 4-1 win against the Aussies.

At 36-years-old, he’s currently tied on 51 goals with Thierry Henry after his double.

Despite this, Graeme Souness says: “I’m not his biggest fan.

“At 36, fair play to him. But I think it’s an anomaly. He wouldn’t get a look in if Benzema was fit.”

Denmark v France line-ups

Here’s a reminder of tonight’s starting XIs with ten minutes until kick-off here in Doha.

DENMARK (3-4-3) Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Nelsson; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Maehle; Lindstrom, Cornelius, Damsgaard

FRANCE (4-3-3): Lloris; Kounde, Upamecano, Varane, T.Hernandez; Tchouameni, Griezmann, Rabiot; Dembele, Giroud, Mbappe.

REF: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

Fans yet to make their mark

Less than half an hour before kick-off and Stadium 974 is no more than a third full with huge blocks of empty seats in every stand, writes Martin Lipton.

This should be a ripper, two of the best teams in the tournament, but you wouldn’t know it from the current situation.

At least we just had the first blast of “Alles les bleus” from the French fans, with their tricolors waving in the fetid air.

Stadium 974 is the only ground here in Qatar that does not have pitch-level air-conditioning. 

That could be a factor as it’s still 27 degrees Celsius. At least according to my company-issued phone.

Live from the ground

Greetings from the prefab Stadium 974, writes Mark Irwin, where the big question is can Olivier Giroud become France’s all-time top scorer?

He’s currently tied on 51 goals with Thierry Henry after his double in the 4-1 win against Australia and victory today will see France become the first team to qualify for the last 16.

Raphael Varane is playing his first game since straining a hamstring for Manchester United against Chelsa five weeks ago, with the unfortunate Ibrahima Konate dropping to the bench.

But it won’t be plain sailing for Les Bleus, who lost home and away against Denmark in the Nations League and have never been beaten three times in a year by the same team before.

Kasper Hjulmand has made four changes to the team held to a goalless draw by Tunisia in their opening Group D game. 

I presume the ground is going to fill up because with half an hour to kick-off it’s less than a quarter full.

The venue?

Tonight’s game is at Stadium 974.

Designed by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, the stadium is constructed on the waterfront in Ras Abu Aboud.

The unique name is due to its never before seen design as the stadium incorporates 974 recycled shipping containers. This number is significant as 974 is the dialling code for Qatar.

The stadium was previously called the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium before the change of name.

These containers will contain amenities such as bathrooms and concessions, and will be dismantled after the World Cup.

Once taken apart, the 40,000 seater sustainable stadium will use the seats and containers to assist other under-developing countries.

The modern stadium will also host a round of 16 clash.

Tonight’s head-to-head

The two nations have played each other 16 teams, with France edging the record with eight wins to go with six losses and two draws.

However, Denmark hold the momentum having won BOTH of their Nations League matches – in June and September – this year.

They drew 0-0 in the final match of the group stages at Russia 2018 as both teams reached the knockout rounds and France went on to win the tournament.

Any injury concerns for Denmark?

Worryingly for the Danes, they too have injury concerns.

Thomas Delaney was forced off during the draw with Tunisia and has also been ruled out of the tournament.

The rest of the squad looks fit and firing for tonight’s bout though.

Less than ideal Blues

The French came into the tournament with a squad decimated by injuries, including key striker Karim Benzema, as well as midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, to name a few.

So seeing Lucas Hernandez ruled out of the World Cup with an ACL rupture just 16 minutes into the win over Australia was not a great start.

The not-so-great Danes

Denmark were tipped as dark horses for the tournament, but stuttered to a draw in their first game.

They limped to a 0-0 stalemate against Tunisia, piling the pressure onto them ahead of this stern test.

Along came France

France continue their defence of their World Cup crown when they face Denmark tonight.

Les Bleus won the 2018 tournament in Russia and are hoping to make it a double in Qatar.

Didier Deschamps’ men stormed to an opening-day win but face a much-tougher test in their second match.

France face Denmark knowing a win – or possibly even a draw – would book their spot in the last 16.

Round One roundup

France can qualify for the knockout round of the World Cup with a win over Denmark in the group stages.

The reigning champions thrashed Australia in their opening fixture despite going a goal behind.

But they come up against a Denmark side desperate for three points having recently drawn with Tunisia.

Denmark starting XI

Denmark have revealed their personnel for this evening as they try and stay in the hunt for qualification.

Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Nelsson; Maehle, Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Kristensen; Damsgaard, Cornelius, Lindstrom.

France starting XI

France have revealed their starting line up for tonight and it’s strong.

LLoris; Hernandez, Upamecano, Varance, Kounde; Rabiot, Tchouameni, Griezmann; Mbappe, Giroud, Dembele.

France vs Denmark

Welcome to SunSport’s Live blog of today’s Group D clash between France and Denmark.

The two teams will be out shortly.