37th Match FIFA World Cup 2018

37th Match FIFA World Cup

2018

DENMARK Draw With FRANCE

0-0 in World Cup 2018

v ​​First 0-0 of Russia 2018

v Denmark are through to Round of 16, France top Group C

v RELIVE: As it happened, stats, more 

France secured first place ahead of Denmark in Group C on Tuesday following a 0-0 draw in Moscow that could set up a heavyweight World Cup clash with Lionel Messi's Argentina in the last 16.

Didier Deschamps' side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark, who will likely meet Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.

France have scored just three times in three games in Russia, including a penalty and an own goal, and it was another disjointed display from one of the title favourites.

They will discover their opponents in the next round later on Tuesday, with Argentina needing to beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg to stand a chance of qualifying.

Deschamps rested captain Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, with the Manchester United midfielder a booking away from suspension, while Kylian Mbappe was also left out among six changes.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 33, made his first appearance at a major tournament, having been an unused substitute at the last three European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

After much debate about the video assistant referee (VAR) following further controversy on Monday, it was inevitable any penalty area tussles would prompt strong appeals at the Luzhniki Stadium.

There have already been 20 penalties given at this World Cup, a tournament record before the group stage has even concluded.

Denmark's Martin Braithwaite laid an early claim after going down under pressure from Presnel Kimpembe, although there appeared minimal contact at best.

France had a penalty shout of their own when Henrik Dalsgaard slid in on Lucas Hernandez, with Kasper Schmeichel tipping behind Olivier Giroud's looping follow-up effort.

The first goalless draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ has seen Denmark progress to the Round of 16, joining today's opponents France - who top Group C ahead of the Danes.

With ten changes across the two sides, there was a certain lack of cohesion to each team's play. Christian Eriksen went closest for the Danes on two occasions, either side of the interval. The first chance saw him denied by a combination of Steve Mandanda - the oldest French player to make his World Cup debut, aged 33 - and Lucas Hernandez. After the break, the No10 snatched at an opening after some nice build-up play.

France, for their part, looked largely uninspired - even with their talisman Antoine Griezmann starting up front. Kylian Mbappe made a late cameo, but his introduction could not break the deadlock.

Team Reporter Analysis
Svend Frandsen with Denmark [Follow: Twitter]
Danish coach Age Hareide had asked for a more calculating and more composed performance in terms of ball distribution going into this match. The French managed to create very few, if any, clear-cut opportunities even if the Danes were often forced to defend in numbers, and a goalless draw against Les Bleus will certainly have gone some way to silencing Hareide's critics and given the Danes a vital boost in morale before the Round of 16.

Adrien Gingold with France [Follow: Twitter]

France finish first, as expected, but it's likely the fans would have wanted more from this game. Perhaps not especially more of a show or some goals, but more intensity. Players will have to step up their game very quickly if they want to match their ambition and go far in this competition. Knockout matches will begin soon and a draw won't be enough at that stage.

Budweiser Man of the Match
Ngolo Kante turned in another industrious performance in the French midfield to help ensure a second consecutive clean sheet of the tournament for Didier Deschamps' side.

The stat
36 - games without a goalless draw at Russia 2018 before today's 0-0 at the Luzhniki. The figure is a new World Cup record, smashing the previous record of 26 matches.

What's next
France v Runner-up Group D, Round of 16, 30 June, Kazan
Winner Group D v Denmark, Round of 16, 1 July, Nizhny Novgorod