France proceeds to the next round as Mbappe Scores twice.

 

 

In order to become the first side to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup, France defeated Denmark with two goals from Kylian Mbappe.

With goals in the second half to advance his team, the forward once again stole the show.

Kasper Schmeichel had to make a save off a soaring attempt from Mbappe earlier in the game after he blasted over from 12 yards.

Theo Hernandez and the Paris St. Germain player exchanged a beautiful one-two before stroking in to break the tie just past the hour mark.

After France failed to successfully clear a corner, Denmark quickly equalised with their first shot on goal, defender Andreas Christensen heading in at the far post.

Christensen, however, would have considered himself fortunate on the pitch at that point after receiving only a yellow card on 20 minutes for dragging back Mbappe, who was looking to run clear.

 

France keeper Hugo Lloris made a sharp stop to keep out Tottenham team-mate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s first-time shot, while Martin Braithwaite agonisingly fired into the side netting.

Four years ago Mbappe became France’s youngest scorer in the competition when aged 19.

 

And with four minutes left, he snatched the winner, sneaking in at the far post to convert Antoine Griezmann’s cross

 

At the beginning of the match, all eyes were on Olivier Giroud before the game and whether he could become France’s all-time leading scorer and move clear of Thierry Henry.

But the AC Milan striker failed to make an impact and was replaced just after the 61st-minute opener as Mbappe revelled in the spotlight.

 

Just 23, he already has 31 international goals and is rapidly closing in on Giroud and Henry’s 51-goal mark.

 

Mbappe’s double helped France win a sixth straight World Cup game for the first time and also become the first holders since Brazil in 2006 to qualify from the group stage.

 

He converted the first following a delightful interchange with Theo Hernandez, who replaced brother Lucas after a knee injury ended his tournament.

 

Defender Raphael Varane started a game for the first time since 22 October, when he left the pitch in tears for Manchester United against Chelsea after suffering a muscular injury in the Premier League game.

 

He had the first chance when a flicked header was cleared off the line by Joakim Maehle.

 

Adrien Rabiot’s nodded effort was then tipped away by Schmeichel, while the Nice keeper also kept out Griezmann’s low drive