World Cup 2022: France 2 Denmark 1: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as holders reach knockout stage

Kylian Mbappe scored twice for France as the defending champions laid down a World Cup marker by beating Denmark to become the first team into the knockout stage.

The forward stole the show once again with second-half strikes to take his side through.

Mbappe had earlier blazed over from 12 yards and forced Kasper Schmeichel into a save with a rising shot.

But the Paris St-Germain star broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, exchanging a fine one-two with Theo Hernandez before stroking in.

Denmark equalised just seven minutes later with their first effort on target as defender Andreas Christensen headed home at the far post after France failed to clear a corner.

Christensen, though, may have counted himself lucky to still be 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.

Mbappe became France's youngest scorer in the competition four years ago when aged 19,

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

Box-office Mbappe revels in the spotlight

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.

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.

Although Denmark equalised through Christensen's header - only one of two efforts on goal for Kasper Hjulmand's men - Mbappe turned in Griezmann's cross before celebrating passionately in front of the flag-waving French fans.

Player of the match

DembéléOusmane Dembélé

France

Squad number11Player nameDembélé

Squad number7Player nameGriezmann

Squad number10Player nameMbappé

Squad number22Player nameHernández

Squad number20Player nameComan

Squad number9Player nameGiroud

Squad number24Player nameKonaté

Squad number14Player nameRabiot

Squad number8Player nameTchouaméni

Squad number4Player nameVarane

Squad number26Player nameThuram

Squad number13Player nameFofana

Squad number5Player nameKoundé

Squad number18Player nameUpamecano

Squad number1Player nameLloris

Denmark

Squad number3Player nameNelsson

Squad number1Player nameSchmeichel

Squad number10Player nameEriksen

Squad number13Player nameKristensen

Squad number6Player nameChristensen

Squad number23Player nameHøjbjerg

Squad number25Player nameLindstrøm

Squad number5Player nameMaehle

Squad number14Player nameDamsgaard

Squad number9Player nameBraithwaite

Squad number2Player nameAndersen

Squad number21Player nameCornelius

Squad number26Player nameBah

Squad number15Player nameNørgaard

Squad number12Player nameDolberg

Line-ups

France

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Lloris

5Koundé4Varane18Upamecano22Hernández

8Tchouaméni14Rabiot

11Dembélé7Griezmann10Mbappé

9Giroud

Substitutes

Denmark

Formation 3-4-2-1

1Schmeichel

2Andersen6Christensen3Nelsson

13Kristensen23Højbjerg10Eriksen5Maehle

25Lindstrøm14Damsgaard

21Cornelius

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, France 2, Denmark 1.

Second Half ends, France 2, Denmark 1.

Attempt missed. Joakim Maehle (Denmark) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.

Foul by Alexander Bah (Denmark).

Kylian Mbappé (France) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, France. Youssouf Fofana replaces Antoine Griezmann.

Substitution, Denmark. Alexander Bah replaces Rasmus Kristensen.

Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Theo Hernández.

Attempt blocked. Joachim Andersen (Denmark) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rasmus Kristensen.

Goal! France 2, Denmark 1. Kylian Mbappé (France) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross.

Substitution, Denmark. Christian Nørgaard replaces Jesper Lindstrøm.

Attempt missed. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Denmark) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Christian Eriksen.

Martin Braithwaite (Denmark) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Kasper Dolberg with a cross.

Attempt missed. Adrien Rabiot (France) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Theo Hernández with a cross following a corner.

Corner, France. Conceded by Joachim Andersen.

Attempt blocked. Jules Koundé (France) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kingsley Coman with a cross.

Corner, France. Conceded by Joakim Maehle.

Attempt blocked. Aurélien Tchouaméni (France) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Antoine Griezmann with a cross.

Corner, France. Conceded by Andreas Christensen.

Corner, France. Conceded by Rasmus Kristensen.

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