France 2 Denmark 1 – World Cup 2022 LIVE RESULT: Mbappe the hero with stunning DOUBLE as French sail into the last-16

Goodnight all

That’s a wrap for tonight folks.

Thank you for joining us for SunSport’s coverage of France vs Denmark in an exciting Group D clash.

The French fans will be very happy with the 2-1 win.

Take a bow, Kylian Mbappe.

France’s guilt-free final group game

Boss Didier Deschamps is so spoilt for choice up front that he can even afford to shrug off the absence of injured strikers Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku, writes Mark Irwin from Stadium 974.

After battering Australia 4-1 in their opening group game, the only surprise last night was that it took them more than an hour to break down the dogged Danes.

In truth they should have made it much more comfortable for Deschamps after missing a hatful of opportunities.

And they certainly can’t afford to be so generous in front of goal when the competition gets serious in the knock-out rounds.

But that is something to worry about for another day for Deschamps, who can now afford to rest most of his stars for their final group game next Wednesday.

Because the only way for France to miss out on top spot is if they lose heavily to Tunisia and Australia have a big win against the Danes.

But that ain’t going to happen, particularly as Denmark three points against Australia to avoid an early exit from the tournament. 

Irwin’s view: Three Lions should already be worried

Kylian Mbappe showed exactly what all the fuss is about as France became the first team to qualify for the World Cup’s last 16, writes Mark Irwin from Stadium 974.

And England should already be worrying about a potential quarter-final meeting with the £160 million superstar who is threatening to take Qatar 2022 by storm.

It was Mbappe’s two second-half goals which finally saw off Denmark to all but confirm top spot in Group D.

At just 23-years-old, he has already scored 31 times for his country and it is surely only a matter of time before he overhauls the current French record of 51 goals currently held by Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry.

And the way his team are performing out here in the desert, you certainly wouldn’t bet against them becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.

Deschamps’ side in command

The momentum swung briefly in Denmark’s favour when they nabbed the equaliser.

But France pretty much controlled throughout and, as Shearer said, they answered the call after the Dane’s levelled.

Even after Mbappe’s second, the champs held Denmark for the remainder of the clash.

Shearer on France performance

France have looked very good again – particularly in forward areas.

Antoine Griezmann, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele and of course that guy Kylian Mbappe.

What a player, what a superstar. He made the difference tonight.

They were asked the question when Denmark got back into the game, what have you got?

Didier Deschamps made a couple of changes and they worked perfectly.

When you’ve got that guy in your team in the form that he’s in – he looks so comfortable and confident in front of goal – you’ve got a chance. He won the game for them.

Alan ShearerBBC

Fox in the box

With six shots tonight, it was the two closest to Schmeichel’s goal that found the back of the net for Mbappe.

The double sends France through the group stage.

Kyli’n it

Mbappe is now pushing up the record goal-scoring list.

The 23-year-old is France’s joint-seventh top scorer of all-time, alongside Zinedine Zidane on 31 goals.

A touche of class from Mbappe

Mbappe passed one into the back of the net and bundled in the other.

But it was his movement during the build-ups to the goals that impressed the world.

Here’s the superstar’s heat map from tonight’s vital win.

Can France go all the way again?

SunSport’s chief reporter Martin Lipton at Stadium 974, explains why France are the real deal:

Two brilliant performances, back to back.

France are, for now, the team the rest have to beat.

Only two nations, Italy in 1934 and 1938, and Brazil in 1958 and 1962, have retained the World Cup.

Deschamps side look like they have what it takes to join that illustrious club.

Mbappe was mesmerising but he was not the only one. France have stepped it up two gears from the 2018 team, despite losing Benzema, Pogba, Kante and Lucas Hernandez to injuries.

But Denmark more than played their part in a truly outstanding game of football.

Tricolours waving as France run towards their fans before a joint celebration leap into the air.

They are for real. No question.

FULL TIME: France 2-1 Denmark

It’s all over.

The world champions have won and are the first team to secure their place in the knockouts.

It’s an Mbappe brace that makes the difference.

France 2-1 Denmark

96 – Denmark launch what will surely be the final attack…

France 2-1 Denmark

94 – Denmark have the ball. No real direction as they knock it around the middle of the park.

They make it forward but it’s cleared into Thuram’s path. He holds for half a minute.

France 2-1 Denmark

92 – Time winding down now at Stadium 974.

France look to steady the ship for the final few minutes.

OFF Griezmann

ON Fofana

France 2-1 Denmark

90 – Six minutes of added time.

Mbappe is sent through but he volleys straight at Schmeichel.

Could have taken a touch.

Hat-trick on the cards?

France 2-1 Denmark

88 – It was amazing movement from Mbappe.

Here’s Martin Lipton on what may be the killer goal:

Cometh the moment, cometh the man.

Mbappe gets in where the boots are flying to apply the crucial touch after great work by Coman and Griezmann on the right, staying fractionally the right side of Kristensen before bundling home.

Not a thing of beauty in the final execution, but in construction, absolutely.

A little tough on the Danes. Although you’d still take a punt on them to beat the Socceroos on Wednesday.

France 2-1 Denmark

84 – Bang, Mbappe at the back post.

Griezmann put it on a plate for him.

GOAL – MBAPPE

And there he is. The man of the hour.

France 1-1 Denmark

84 – Don’t want to be the Angel of Doom. We’ve got Mark Irwin for that.

But presuming/hoping England get to the last eight, there’s every chance they’d play one of these two.

Good luck with that, writes Martin Lipton, especially after last night’s snooze-fest against the USA.

Denmark are really sniffing the air and thinking it’s there to win but France remain so dangerous as well. One of the best games of the tournament so far. Just as we all hoped.

France 1-1 Denmark

80 – Meanwhile, Tchouameni heads the wrong side of the upright from yards out.

Then Rabiot tries an overhead kick that just flew wide.

And Braithwaite skims the post for Denmark up the other end!

This could be anyone’s game now. 

France 1-1 Denmark

79 – Here’s Martin Lipton, reporting from a 40,000-seater stadium, where the turnout tonight is…

It’s a numbers game. 42,840 apparently. 

In my youth (admittedly a long time ago) some would have stroked their chin and replied: “Mmmm, Jimmy Hill!”

Anyway, enough with the infeasible. This is a game to be won. Or lost. Or drawn. Into the last 15 and Denmark think they might nick it.

Group D – as it stands

France 1-1 Denmark

75 – Giroud went off during all that drama. Thuram replaced him.

Here are a couple more changes for the champs:

OFF Demeble

OFF Varane

ON Coman

ON Konate

France 1-1 Denmark

73 – Lloris just made a big save from Lindstrom.

France now look fragile.

Where was this from Denmark for the first hour?

France 1-1 Denmark

70 – Denmark caught Martin Lipton by surprise as well as the French defence:

Didn’t see that coming. Not sure anyone would have.

No sooner are France in front than the Danes are level, Christensen putting his head in where it hurts – he didn’t do that too many times in a Chelsea cause – to nod home when Eriksen’s corner travels all the way.

Danish fans, who have been hushed for an hour, suddenly find their voice. French supporters can’t believe it.

France 1-1 Denmark

68 – Andersen flicks it on from the corner and it lands perfectly in Christensen’s path.

The former Chelsea defender nods it home!

1-1. That didn’t take long.