France 2-1 Denmark LIVE! World Cup 2022 result, match stream, latest reaction and updates today

France vs Denmark - LIVE!

France can effectively seal top spot in Group D as they look to make it two wins from two at the World Cup this afternoon. The defending champions face their toughest group-stage opponent, at least on paper, in Denmark, looking to recreate some of the attacking flair produced in the dominant opening win over Australia.

Les Blues fell behind in that match but swiftly got things back on track as Olivier Giroud struck a brace and Kylian Mbappe shone, though they suffered a serious injury blow as Lucas Hernandez ruptured his ACL. His brother Theo Hernandez starts in his place this afternoon, while Raphael Varane also comes into the side.

Denmark were largely toothless in their goalless draw with Tunisia and will be looking to show far more in forward areas. They have twice beaten France in the Nations League this year, so can take plenty of confidence from recent matches between the sides. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!

France vs Denmark

• GOAL! Mbappe wins it late on

• GOAL! Christensen gets Denmark level

• GOAL! Mbappe fires France in front

• Griezmann with poor finish!

• Mbappe blasts over the bar!

France 2 - 1 Denmark

Thanks for following!

19:02 , Matt Verri

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France beat Denmark to become the first side to confirm their place in the last-16 in another statement from the holders.

The 2-1 win also ensured France are the first reigning champions since Brazil in 2006 to avoid a humiliating group-stage exit, and an impressive display suggests they could be the first side since the Selecao in 1962 to retain the World Cup.

Denmark, meanwhile, must beat Australia to reach the knockouts but should not be too disheartened after going close to a spirited comeback in the second half. Andreas Christensen equalised seven minutes after Mbappe had fired France ahead on the counter-attack, and the game might have been different if Hugo Lloris had not saved well from Jesper Lindstrom at 1-1.

Kaspar Schmeichel also made smart saves to deny Adrien Rabiot in the first half and Mbappe after the break, but France’s wonderboy proved too much to contain, bundling home at the back post four minutes from time.

Read Dan Kilpatrick’s full analysis here

The curse is over!

18:15 , Matt Verri

Mbappe matches Valencia

18:08 , Matt Verri

That’s now three goals, and an assist for Kylian Mbappe, in the first two matches of the tournament.

He’s level with Enner Valencia in the race for the Golden Boot, and will be desperately hoping he isn’t rested for that final group-stage match against Tunisia.

A lot of talk about Messi and Ronaldo going into the World Cup... it’s Mbappe taking centre stage right now.

That winning goal...

17:59 , Matt Verri

FT: France 2-1 Denmark

17:56 , Matt Verri

France are through to the last-16 of the World Cup!

First side through to the knockout stages, and it’s thanks to Kylian Mbappe who was once again sensational.

Defending champions look set for a deep run in Qatar.

17:53 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Denmark keeping the ball, not really looking like getting an equaliser.

So much pressure on them in the final match, for all they will be confident of being able to beat Australia.

17:50 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Ball hammered over the top, Mbappe is away again.

Tame effort straight at Schmeichel, just as he thought he was going to bring up a hat-trick in style.

Six minutes added on.

17:47 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Do Denmark have any response to that?

Their task doesn’t really change - have to beat Australia in their final group-stage match.

GOAL! France 2-1 Denmark | Kylian Mbappe 86'

17:45 , Matt Verri

HE’S PUT FRANCE BACK IN FRONT!

Mbappe dragging Les Blues through this match. Griezmann with a brilliant delivery in, Mbappe there at the back post to just bundle it in.

17:43 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Ball falls for Hojbjerg 35 yards out... just about has enough power on it to roll out of play.

Fair to say that was a very ambitious effort, and an awful one too. Less of that needed.

17:38 , Matt Verri

80 mins: That would have been very special!

Cross swung in, Rabiot at the backpost goes for a very acrobatic volley. Catches it so sweetly, over the bar though. Good spell for France, their first since scoring really.

17:37 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Rabiot in behind, has time to pick out a man but spends that time moving his body round to get it on his left foot instead. Chance goes, put behind for a corner.

Tchouameni at the back post... what a block! Knew nothing about it but the Frenchman is denied. Another corner.

All the way through to Coman, dinked in and Kounde sends it wide. Or not, corner given instead.

17:35 , Matt Verri

76 mins: Mbappe looks to beat his man in the box, has to settle for a corner instead. Griezmann will take, his delivery has been poor so far.

Bit better this time, but Andersen is there to head it away. Mbappe back in, again it’s cleared.

17:32 , Matt Verri

73 mins: Great save from Lloris!

France hanging on all of a sudden, Lindstrom with a decent effort and it’s a comfortable save. Another Denmark corner.

This time Les Blues are able to get it clear.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

17:30 , Matt Verri

I said this game needed a goal and now we’ve had two in seven minutes. Denmark have shown real character to hit straight back but question now is do they try to hang on in there or push for another?

17:29 , Matt Verri

70 mins: Thuram does really well to keep the ball in play, doesn’t come to anything though as Schmeichel comes off his line to claim.

Not really much difference for Denmark in drawing or losing... either of those mean they have to beat Australia.

GOAL! France 1-1 Denmark | Andreas Christensen 68'

17:27 , Matt Verri

DENMARK ARE LEVEL!

Well then. Well-worked corner, flicked on at the near post and Christsensen is there at the back post to head it home from close range.

17:26 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Lindstrom with a lovely cross into the box, chaos a bit as France swing at it but the clearance is not convincing.

Here come Denmark again... corner. Rabiot caught out by Lindstrom, France looking slightly rattled all of a sudden.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

17:24 , Matt Verri

Denmark have got on the ball more this half but that’s only invited trouble on the counter, specifically in the form of goalscorer Mbappe.

The French are on course to be the first side in the last-16 in another statement from the holders.

17:24 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Mbappe lobs the ball over the top, Thuram thinks he’s been shoved over but the whistle doesn’t come.

Just as well for Denmark those roles weren’t reversed, Mbappe would have been away on goal.

17:22 , Matt Verri

63 mins: And there’s an immediate change from France, Thuram on to replace Giroud.

It will have to be another day for Giroud to break Henry’s record, his chance tonight has gone.

GOAL! France 1-0 Denmark | Kylian Mbappe 61'

17:20 , Matt Verri

FRANCE TAKE THE LEAD!

And it had to be him. Mbappe drives towards the box, slides it through to Hernandez.

The left-back cuts it back to Mbappe, who on the stretch gets there to send the first-time finish past Schmeichel.

17:18 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Real chance for Griezmann, France starting to wake up again!

Ball clipped forward, Griezmann gets inside Nelssoon to bring it down and he’s through on goal. First-time effort is ballooned over the bar though.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

17:16 , Matt Verri

My expert opinion is that this game badly needs a goal. France are still looking the most likely to get one but Denmark have been more front foot after introducing Martin Braithwaite at the interval.

17:16 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Mbappe with his latest charge at the Denmark defence, Andersen just shrugged out of the way. The biggest obstacle to the Frenchman is Giroud, who runs right in his way. Mbappe still get the shot away, turned behind for a corner by Schmeichel.

Griezmann takes, cleared away at the near post. Poor delivery.

17:14 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Braithwaite has been decent since coming on, he wins a corner for Denmark.

Eriksen sends it deep to the back post, comes back for Braithwaite but he can’t get the shot away and he’s offside anyway. Apart from that...

17:12 , Matt Verri

53 mins: This second-half has not really got going, it would be fair to say.

Dembele looks to play Mbappe through on goal, slides the passin behind the defence. Schmeichel does well to rush off his line to boot it away.

17:09 , Matt Verri

50 mins: Denmark having a bit of success in the France half, brilliant cross in from Eriksen but nobody can catch up with it.

Mbappe starts to run away from Andersen and the defender immediately gives up on that race. Inside to Dembele, tries to play it back to his team-mate but even Mbappe isn’t that quick.

17:06 , Matt Verri

47 mins: More of the same, Dembele has the beating of his man. Drifts all the way inside to the opposite flank, finding Mbappe.

He flicks it through to Rabiot, who can’t quite swivel and get the shot away. Eriksen with a clever foul in midfield to halt Griezmann, does well to get away without a yellow card.

Back underway!

17:04 , Matt Verri

Up and running again for the second-half.

Cornelius off, Braithwaite on to replace him for Denmark.

Mbappe wastes big chance

16:55 , Matt Verri

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

16:52 , Matt Verri

The game lost some intensity towards the end of a decent first half, dominated by France. Adrien Rabiot went closest with a header but Mbappe and Dembele have been the dangerman for the holders.

Les Bleus will want to get the job done tonight although a draw is not a bad result for either side.

HT: France 0-0 Denmark

16:48 , Matt Verri

Final moments of the half, Mbappe drifts inside and blasts an effort at goal which smashes into Giroud. Good defending from the striker.

France much the better side, look really lively up front, but nothing to show for it.

16:45 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Nelsson back up but he’s not looking too happy with life. Lucky he avoided a serious ankle injury there.

Three minutes added on at the end of the half.

16:43 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Poor from Griezmann. Free in midfield, Mbappe and Dembele charging into space on either flank but he decides to turn back and slow it down.

Kounde then flies in and catches Nelsson, that’s a really nasty challenge. Yellow card and the Denmark defender will need some treatment.

16:40 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Big chance!

France are so dangerous down the wings. Dembele free on the right, cuts it back perfectly for Mbappe.

On the penalty spot, completely free but he blasts the shot over the bar.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

16:38 , Matt Verri

There’s so much variety to this France attack: pace, skill, poise, directness, aerial prowess. They can go short or long, high or wide.

By contrast, Cornelius looks very one dimensional for Denmark, although he has just flashed a shot wide after a bright counter-attack.

16:38 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Dembele with a nice switch out to Mbappe, who volleys it up back into the middle of the box.

Giroud comes charging onto it, knocking everyone and everything out of his way, but the header is wide. Safe to say he wanted that more than anyone else.

16:36 , Matt Verri

36 mins: Denmark’s first real attack of the match, Cornelius put through but the angle is always a bit too tight.

Offside flag stays down, fires it wide though. Lloris never looked like being troubled there.

16:35 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Rabiot from distance, blocked immediately.

And now Cornelius gives away a free-kick, Mbappe enquiring whether that should be a second yellow card. Referee opts not to let the Frenchman do the officiating.

Griezmann chips it in, headed away comfortably.

16:33 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Just one shot on target in the match so far, that Rabiot header that Schmeichel kept out. It’s not been the best so far.

Bit more like it, as Giroud sets Griezmann away. Straight at Schmeichel from a very tight angle... guess that’s our second shot on target!

16:30 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Speaking of, Mbappe flies past Kristensen with minimal fuss. They cannot live with him.

To the byline, cross it a bit deep but it comes through to Kounde who hammers it at goal, cleared away at the back post.

16:28 , Matt Verri

28 mins: Match not being played a particularly high-tempo, apart from when France counter.

Neither side pressing much at all, France seem fairly confident that Denmark aren’t going to hurt them by keeping the ball.

Need more of Dembele and Mbappe on the ball, to liven this up.

16:25 , Matt Verri

25 mins: Cornelius also into the book, for a poor challenge on Giroud. Frenchman needs a bit of treatment but he’ll be fine to continue.

Denmark getting all the time in the world to pass the ball around at the back, but they’re struggling to do much more than that.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

16:23 , Matt Verri

I think that has to go down as a clever booking for Andreas Christensen, although he’s now obviously got his work cut out to avoid another against this varied French attack.

16:22 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Cross whipped in, powerful header from Rabiot and Schmeichel does well to palm that away.

Lovely ball from Dembele, Rabiot directed it towards the far corner but couldn’t quite get it out of reach of the Denmark goalkeeper.

16:20 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Well that’s a full on rugby tackle!

Griezmann slides the ball through and Mbappe is absolutely flying onto it, charging through the middle... until Christensen takes him out.

Scary pace from Mbappe and Christensen was having none of it. Lucky it’s only a yellow, probably just about enough defenders covering.

16:18 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Denmark getting a bit of control back, keeping possession in defence to take the sting out of that spell from France.

Les Blues win it back and Hernandez flies forward with the ball, tries to play a one-two with Giroud but it’s very much just a a ‘one’. Poor pass.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

16:17 , Matt Verri

Is there any player at this World Cup more capable of getting fans off their seats than Ousmane Dembele?

The tricky winger has already caught the eye with some lovely skill and dribbling, and is France’s biggest threat in a lively start from the holders.

16:15 , Matt Verri

15 mins: Mbappe pings it out wide to Dembele, France starting to build the pressure now.

He gets to the byline, fires a cross into the box and Giroud flicks the header wide under pressure from Andersen. Denmark on the ropes a bit right now.

16:13 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Great free-kick put into the box by Griezmann, flicked behind for a corner with Giroud lurking again.

Flicked on at the near post by Varane, Maehle does really well to hack that away as the bodies came flying in.

16:10 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Giroud looked certain to score!

Hernandez stands a cross up to the back post after combining brilliantly with Mbappe, Rabiot nods it back into Giroud’s path but it’s poked away just as he was about to smash that in.

Denmark just about survive.

16:08 , Matt Verri

8 mins: Currently Kristensen 2-0 Mbappe. Gives him a bit of a shove and knocks him off balance, before sliding in.

Comes back to the French star, whips the ball into the box but Griezmann can’t quite get on the end of the cross.

Dan Kilpatrick at Stadium 974

16:07 , Matt Verri

Shouldn’t come as a surprise by now but lots of empty seats again for the Lloris-Hojbjerg derby at Stadium 974. I’m terrible at estimates...but estimate it’s no more than 3/4 full.

16:06 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Take two, Rabiot immediately looking for Mbappe every time.

This time he cuts inside and finds Dembele, shifts it onto his weaker right foot and the shot is a pretty tame one. Comfortably blocked.

Already France look dangerous when they counter, for all Denmark are dominating the ball.

16:04 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Here we go, Rabiot out wide to Mbappe who gets his first touch. Crowd noise immediately goes up.

He runs straight into his man though, bit of an anti-climax. Kristensen tries to send Cornelius through on goal, too much on the pass though.

16:02 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Denmark with pretty much all of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, confident start.

France not really a pressing team, but they’ll burst into life once they do get it back. Could be a while though if they sit off as they are...

KICK-OFF!

16:00 , Matt Verri

We’re underway, France looking to be the first time through to the last 16.

Champion and McCoist on commentary - a win for everyone.

15:55 , Matt Verri

Players are out onto the pitch - time for the anthems.

Every single photographer seems to be very much focusing their attentions on Mbappe. Don’t think he’ll mind that too much.

Not long now!

15:51 , Matt Verri

Kick-off coming up in less than then minutes now.

France can pretty much wrap up top spot in the group with victory... Denmark can completely blow the group open should they win.

Players are in the tunnel!

Giroud on matching Henry’s record...

15:46 , Matt Verri

”It’s a great source of pride.

“I don’t intend to stop there. I hope to continue in the competition to help the team to realise our objective.

“We’re taking each match one after the other and looking to improve.”

Unusual design!

15:40 , Matt Verri

Hjulmand on Mbappe threat

15:35 , Matt Verri

Kasper Hjulmand does not want his Denmark side to be fearful of Kylian Mbappe, though admitted it is almost impossible to keep him quiet for the full 90 minutes.

“I don’t think it’s good to be frightened of anything,” he said ahead of the match.

“In the last game we played in Copenhagen (against France in September) we had a good plan. He had two or three big chances.

“No matter what plans you have against top-class players such as Mbappe, you can’t keep a top player like that down.

“We have plenty of thoughts about how to minimise the chances he’ll get. We don’t want him to unleash the fantastic talent he has.”

Giroud answers France’s call

15:29 , Matt Verri

Has one person’s aptitude for a task ever been so justifiably questioned, yet so undeniably clear?

Olivier Giroud has, over the years, been a man much maligned, a forward whose killer instinct did not seem all that instinctive, guilty often of taking the ‘scorer of great goals, but not a great scorer of goals’ paradox to its respective extremes.

In club football, Giroud’s last 20-goal league season came more than a decade ago and in internationals, despite the World Cup winners’ medal dangling around his neck, he had to step aside for the return of Karim Benzema.

Read the full story on that here

Mbappe clicks into gear early

15:20 , Matt Verri

Reminder of how France got their World Cup and running.

Brief scare as they fell behind, but from that point it was absolutely ruthless and Olivier Giroud netted a brace and, worryingly for the tournament, Kylian Mbappe looked incredibly sharp.

Denmark have had the edge

15:11 , Matt Verri

France not “speaking about revenge”, but they do have to reverse the recent trend.

Twice they’ve played Denmark already this year and they’ve lost on both occasions. Denmark won on home soil 2-0 in September, while Andreas Cornelius scored twice in a 2-1 win in France at the end of last season.

Plenty of confidence to be taken from that, for the Danes...

Deschamps: Denmark are underestimated

15:04 , Matt Verri

Didier Deschamps has warned France they will need to be at their best to get the better of Denmark, a side he believes don’t get the credit they deserve.

“I’ve said multiple times that Denmark are underestimated in relation to their real value,” the France boss said in his pre-match press conference.

“They caused us lots of trouble so we need to make sure that we reverse the trend, but without speaking about revenge or anything like that.

“It is a team that can change systems, which can lead to more difficulties.”

Changes for both sides

14:57 , Matt Verri

So Kounde and Varane come into the French side, with Pavard and Konate dropping out. Hernandez replaces his brother at left-back as expected.

The same front four for France that caused Australia so many problems, no surprise there.

For Denmark, Nelsson starts in the middle of the back three as Kjaer misses out. Lindstram, Damsgaard and Cornelius the front three, as they shuffle the pack.

Denmark team news

14:47 , Matt Verri

Denmark XI: Schmeichel, Andersen, Nelsson, Christensen, Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Lindstrom, Maehle, Eriksen, Damsgaard, Cornelius

France team news

14:42 , Matt Verri

France XI: Lloris, Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Griezmann, Dembele, Mbappe, Giroud.

Denmark deny reports they plan to leave FIFA

14:35 , Matt Verri

The Danish Football Association have denied reports they are planning to leave FIFA, but they have criticised Gianni Infantino as the fallout from the ‘OneLove’ armband rumbles on.

Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer, along with six other European nations, including England and Wales, had planned to wear the rainbow-coloured armband at the World Cup in Qatar to promote diversity and inclusion.

FIFA, however, warned that if players did so they would be booked with a yellow card at the start of match.

There has been a fierce backlash to FIFA’s actions and earlier this week there were reports that claimed the Danish Football Association were ready to leave FIFA.

The organisation have since clarified that is not the case, however they have criticised Infantino and revealed they won’t vote for him.

Read the full story on that here

Atmosphere building!

14:27 , Matt Verri

Earlier in Group D...

14:20 , Matt Verri

Australia battled to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tunisia this morning, three points that they badly needed.

Tunisia on just one point from their first two matches, and with a clash against France to come it’s not looking good for their last-16 hopes.

Should France win this afternoon, it will leave Denmark on one point too and having to beat Australia in their final group-stage match to get out of the group. Would be an incredibly tense encounter.

Giroud to break the record?

14:09 , Matt Verri

Olivier Giroud’s brace against Australia took him level with Thierry Henry as France’s all-time record goalscorer. Decent company to keep.

He’s only really in the side because of Karim Benzema’s injury, but he is so crucial to how France play. Certainly brings out the best in Kylian Mbappe too.

One more goal for the record - will it come this afternoon?

Evening Standard prediction

14:01 , Matt Verri

Despite that brief scare after falling behind, France looked incredibly sharp in forward areas against Australia, with Mbappe in particular looking right up for it.

Denmark meanwhile looked toothless, for all there was some nice build-up, and will likely have to rely on their final group-stage match if they are to reach the last-16.

France to win, 2-0.

Denmark team news

13:53 , Matt Verri

For Denmark, Thomas Delaney has also been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after picking up a knee injury against Tunisia. Mikkel Damsgaard or Mathias Jensen are the two most likely to replace him in midfield.

Andreas Cornelius, who missed a huge chance in that match, could come into the side up front, after Andreas Skov Olsen failed to offer a real threat.

Predicted Denmark XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Kristensen, Andersen, Christensen, Maehle; Hojbjerg, Jensen, Eriksen; Damsgaard, Olsen, Dolberg

France team news

13:46 , Matt Verri

Lucas Hernandez’s World Cup lasted just 13 minutes before he was forced off after rupturing his ACL, and he will play no further part in the tournament. His brother Theo Hernandez should start in his absence.

Raphael Varane and William Saliba will both be pushing to force their way into the starting lineup, but it would be no surprise if Didier Deschamps stuck with the centre-back pairing of Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano.

Predicted France XI (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Konate, Upamecano, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud

How to watch France vs Denmark

13:37 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the match will be televised free-to-air and live on ITV, with coverage beginning at 3.05pm GMT.

Live stream: The ITV Hub will broadcast the match live online.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here - Dan Kilpatrick will be providing expert analysis from the ground.

Good afternoon!

13:30 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of France vs Denmark!

On paper at least it’s the best match in Group D, with France looking to effectively seal top spot with their second win.

Denmark meanwhile were held by Tunisia in their opening match and so could do with a result here, otherwise all the pressure is on their final game against Australia.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4pm BST from Stadium 974.