France booked their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup following their 2-1 victory over Denmark.
The Danes have often posed a stern test for the French, particularly in recent months with this clash being the third time the two nations have met in 2022 - with Denmark winning the previous two. However, France dominated the opening exchanges, with their opponents failing to register a single shot on goal inside the first 30 minutes.
Kylian Mbappe eventually broke the deadlock with a deflected effort from close range, but French joy lasted all of seven minutes before Andreas Christensen headed Denmark level.
Denmark were good money for their equaliser, having caused Hugo Lloris a few headaches in between the sticks for Frace as well as Martin Braithwaite clipping the frame of his goal.
However, Mbappe came to his country's rescue as he so often does with a second from close range.
Mirror Football has analysed five of the game's main talking points as Les Bleus march on while Denmark's search for a first win continues.
Mbappe’s magic
The mercurial Kylian Mbappe was at the heart of everything positive for the French going forward, scoring the opening goal of the game after a neat link-up with Theo Hernandez.
His right-footed effort took a deflection off of Andreas Christensen on the way in, leaving Kasper Schmeichel with very little chance before Mbappe was off, wheeling away in celebration after his second goal of the tournament.
Mbappe's second was hardly a thing of beauty, but the 23-year-old is a magnet for goals and won't care how this one went in.
This performance was by no means his finest, but it still had all the ingredients of an impressive outing with a number of inviting crosses and dazzling displays of dribbling.
Dembele’s display
While Mbappe is often the man stealing the headlines, Ousmane Dembele enjoyed a stellar individual showing in both a defensive and attacking sense.
During a cagey first half in particular, the Barcelona star was the main figure driving things forward for the French up and down that right flank.
Adrien Rabiot's header forced Kasper Schmeichel into one of his only saves early on, but the effort came from a sensational whipped cross courtesy of Dembele.
It was Dembele who helped carve upon the best chance of the opening 45 minutes when his impressive cut-back found the right-boot of Mbappe, but the Paris Saint-Germain talent could only fire his effort well over the bar.
France’s Danish misery ends
The last two clashes between this pair have proved triumphant for Denmark, with Christian Eriksen and co. running out 2-1 and 2-0 winners in the two UEFA Nations League meetings.
However, Les Bleus managed to avoid defeat for a third time, taking all three points against a resilient Danish side who were in no mood to simply roll over and let the reigning champions have their way.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was in the kind of form that has made him so important to Tottenham in recent seasons in the middle of the park, refusing to let the likes of Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Djani Tchouaméni get a true grip on proceedings.
Eventually, France's pressure told and an Mbappe brace proved to be the difference.
Varane returns
The Manchester United centre-back sat out Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Australia and was replaced by the younger Ibrahima Konate but returned for the clash against Denmark.
Many feared the defender would miss out on the tournament when he hobbled out of the Red Devils trip to Chelsea late last month, but he impressed in his first outing of the tournament.
In truth, Varane had very little to do for much of the tie but his withdrawal for Konate shortly after the Danes' equaliser will be a cause for concern when it comes to where he ranks in the eyes of his manager for the remainder of the tournament.
What the result means
Deschamps’ men have now become the first side to confirm their place in the latter rounds after two wins from two.
Both victories have been well deserved and their attempt to become the first nation since Brazil in the 1960’s to retain their World Cup crown is still on track.
France have Tunisia up next in a contest that many would expect them to make light work of. If they do brush aside the team currently bottom of Group D, Deschamps’ men would progress with a 100 per cent record.
As for Denmark, they will now need to topple Australia to stand any chance of getting through.
