France vs Denmark LIVE: World Cup 2022 final score and result as Kylian Mbappe books knockout spot

Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half double as France became the first team to book their spot in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday by defeating a feisty Danish team 2-1 in a tense encounter.

After a goalless first half in which the defending champions dominated but failed to convert, defender Theo Hernandez linked up with the electric Mbappe, whose shot deflected off the heal of Andreas Christensen and into the back of the net to give France the lead in the 61st minute. Denmark levelled seven minutes later, with Christensen making up for the deflection by blasting a powerful header past distraught French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Mbappe finished the job in the 86th minute, converting on a cross from Antoine Griezmann and propelling the ball into the back of the net with his thigh.

France top Group D with six points, three ahead of Australia, who beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier in the day, with the Danes and the Tunisians both on one point.

France take on Tunisia and Denmark meet Socceroos in the final round.

Relive all the action with our live blog below:

France vs Denmark

• France beat Denmark 2-1 courtesy of two Kylian Mbappe goals

• 86’ - WINNER! Mbappe bundles home at the back post (FRA 2-1 DEN)

• 68’ - GOAL! Denmark equalise through Andreas Christensen’s header (FRA 1-1 DEN)

• 61’ - GOAL! Mbappe slots home after a lovely one-two with Theo Hernandez (FRA 1-0 DEN)

• 57’ - SAVE! Schmeichel parries over from Mbappe’s shot (FRA 0-0 DEN)

• 40’ - MISS! Kylian Mbappe blazes over from close-range (FRA 0-0 DEN)

• 21’ - GREAT SAVE! Kasper Schmeichel denies Adrien Rabiot (FRA 0-0 DEN)

France 2-1 Denmark player ratings: Kylian Mbappe in unstoppable form as Aurelien Tchouameni shines

18:10 , Kieran Jackson

France beat Denmark at the third time of asking in recent meetings between the two, a late Kylian Mbappe strike settling the game 2-1 to leave Les Bleus well-placed to top their World Cup 2022 group.

It was Denmark who triumphed in both Nations League games of late, but although they survived France’s non-stop attacking for long periods here, they never looked like making it three out of three.

Their initial response to falling behind to Mbappe’s smart finish was impressive, though, with Andreas Christensen powering in a header from a corner only a few minutes after the Danes fell behind.

Late on it was only France who pushed for the points, with Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot going close - but it was left to Mbappe once again to find the crucial touch to become joint top scorer at the tournament so far.

Here are the player ratings from the Group D clash at Stadium 974.

France vs Denmark player ratings: Mbappe unstoppable, Tchouameni stars

World Cup 2022: France 2-1 Denmark

18:04 , Kieran Jackson

France are now top of Group D on six points, with Australia second on three points. Tunisia and Denmark are bottom of the group with one point.

Tunisia vs France and Denmark vs Australia are the final games.

World Cup 2022: France 2-1 Denmark

17:58 , Kieran Jackson

FULL-TIME: France have done it - the world champions are the first team through to the last-16!

It was the Kylian Mbappe show! His two goals made the difference either side of Andreas Christensen’s header!

A tight game, but France come out just on top!

World Cup 2022: France 2-1 Denmark

17:52 , Kieran Jackson

90+2: Griezmann makes way for Fofana, while for Denmark: Bah comes on Kristensen.

Denmark press for a goal...

World Cup 2022: France 2-1 Denmark

17:51 , Kieran Jackson

90 mins: Mbappe eyes a hat-trick as he takes on a volley, but it’s straight at Schmeichel - he should have played in Thuram!

Six minutes added on... can Denmark find another equaliser?!

World Cup 2022: France 2-1 Denmark (Mbappe 86’)

17:46 , Kieran Jackson

86 mins: Kylian Mbappe looks to have won it for France!

Coman sets up Griezmann who crosses it with his left-foot, and Mbappe bundles it home at the back post!

Terrific movement from Mbappe - and he’s stayed just onside!

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:45 , Kieran Jackson

85 mins: Hojbjerg has a speculative effort from long-range - but he drags it wide...

Just five to go..

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:41 , Kieran Jackson

81 mins: So close from Braithwaite!

Denmark are still dangerous on the break! Braithwaite is first to the ball at the near post but his first-time effort clips the outside of the near post!

Very open game now!

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:39 , Kieran Jackson

80 mins: Rabiot close with a spectacular effort!

Hernandez crosses from the left and the France mdifielder connects with an acrobatic effort at the back post - but it sails over!

10 to go - will we have a winner here?

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:38 , Kieran Jackson

78 mins: So close for substitute Aurélien Tchouaméni!

His header is goalbound but takes a slight nick off a Denmark defender!

Corner now for France...

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:35 , Kieran Jackson

75 mins: France make a double sub; Coman and Konate ON; Dembele and Varane OFF.

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark

17:33 , Kieran Jackson

73 mins: Good save from Hugo Lloris!

Jesper Lindstrøm shoots first time in the box and the France captain does well to parry clear!

Denmark pushing for an unlikely winner!

World Cup 2022: France 1-1 Denmark (Christensen 68’)

17:28 , Kieran Jackson

68 mins: Denmark fire back!

It’s Andreas Christensen who scores in his 60th cap! Andersen heads on at the near post and the centre back comes steaming in to head past Hugo Lloris!

Work to do yet for France! This game has suddenly roared into life...

World Cup 2022: France 1-0 Denmark

17:26 , Kieran Jackson

67 mins: Jesper Lindstrom whips in a terrific ball across the face of goal but no Denmark player is there to tap-in!

France eventually clear their lines!

Denmark corner,,,

World Cup 2022: France 1-0 Denmark

17:22 , Kieran Jackson

63 mins: Olivier Giroud is replaced by Marcus Thuram.

Can Denmark respond here?!

World Cup 2022: France 1-0 Denmark (Mbappe 61’)

17:21 , Kieran Jackson

61 mins: Bang on time - France have the breakthrough!

It’s terrific from Theo Hernandez and Kylian Mbappe! They play a pair of one-twos and Mbappe is the man who slots home past Schmeichel, who went down early with the ball taking a slight deflection!

The reigning champions have the lead!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:20 , Kieran Jackson

60 mins: Big miss from Griezmann!

Nelsson gets his bearings all wrong with a looped ball over the top and the France forward is in.

His first bit is excellent with his chest control but he fires over with only Schmeichel to beat!

It’s just not clicking for France yet! 30 to go...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:17 , Kieran Jackson

57 mins: Mbappe forces a save out of Schmeichel!

The France star is in full flow as he dribbles towards the box and shoots with his left-foot straight at the Denmark keeper.

The Danes clear their lines from the corner...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:15 , Kieran Jackson

55 mins: Denmark have a rare opportunuity in attack from a corner.. and from the second ball they look to have a chance in the box, but the flag is up!

Game has hit a lull - and not for the first time...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:10 , Kieran Jackson

50 mins: Dembele ALMOST finds Mbappe with a little touch in the box but Schmeichel is sharp to react!

France have started the quicker here...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:06 , Kieran Jackson

SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway at Stadium 974!

A reminder that if France win, they are through to the last-16!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

17:05 , Kieran Jackson

The teams are back out for the second-half at Stadium 974!

Denmark make a sub at half-time: Braithwaite comes on for Cornelius.

Will we get a breakthrough here?

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:50 , Kieran Jackson

HALF-TIME: Nothing to seperate these two at the break!

France have had the better chances, with Mbappe and Rabiot going close, but Denmark have held their own so far at Stadium 974!

Goalless in Group D!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:47 , Kieran Jackson

45 mins: Eriksen shoots wide from long-range. Heading for all-square at the break.

Three minutes of added time at the end of the first-half..

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:43 , Kieran Jackson

43 mins: Kounde in the book for a late lunge on Victor Nelsson!

He’s receiving treatment - that one will hurt!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:41 , Kieran Jackson

40 mins: What a miss from Mbappe!

Dembele sets him up perfectly in the box but the PSG man skies his effort into the crowd!

Best chance of the game so far!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:38 , Kieran Jackson

37 mins: Mbappe volleys a cross into the box and Giroud throws himself at the ball - but can only head wide!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:37 , Kieran Jackson

36 mins: Quick Denmark break and a sight of goal for Cornelius!

The Danes break quickly and the striker is in, just onside, but he can’t work Lloris and shoots wide!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:36 , Kieran Jackson

34 mins: France well and truly on top now!

But Denmark get bodies in the way of a few snapshots in the box - they’re holding firm for now!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:31 , Kieran Jackson

30 mins: This is all about Kylian Mbappe!

He cuts in, then goes round the outside to dig out a cross to the back post - Jules Kounde is there, but his shot is blocked just in front of Schmeichel!

Terrific though from France’s main man!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:24 , Kieran Jackson

23 mins: Cornelius somewhat harshly booked for a late tackle on Giroud in the middle of the park.

Then again, he does just catch him on the foot...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:22 , Kieran Jackson

21 mins: Great save from Schmeichel!

Rabiot is first to the ball in the box from Dembele but his glancing header is kept out firmly by the Danish captain!

First big opportunity of the game!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:21 , Kieran Jackson

19 mins: Yellow not red for Andreas Christensen!

Mbappe is onto a through ball from Griezmann behind the Danish back line - and the Barca defender can’t cope with it!

He hauls him down - but the two covering defenders save him. Just a booking!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:15 , Kieran Jackson

13 mins: Griezmann whips in a terrific free-kick but it’s well defended by Denmark’s Andreas Cornelius.

Then, Varane wins the header from the corner at the near post and with Giroud ready to tap in, Joakim Mæhle clears for Denmark!

Bit more defined France pressure now!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:11 , Kieran Jackson

10 mins: Theo Hernandez plays a lovely one-two with Mbappe down the left. The defender puts in a good cross and after a knock down, Giroud looks all set to strike at goal before Christian Eriksen gets a crucial foot in!

Meanwhile, a Mexican wave has already started around Stadium 974. Whisper it quietly: you hate to see it.

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:07 , Kieran Jackson

6 mins: Some neat footwork from Ousmane Dembele sets the France attack off, before Mbappe finds the Barcelona man again on the edge of the box... but his tame shot is blocked.

France looking sharp on the break - yet Denmark dominating the ball early on!

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:05 , Kieran Jackson

4 mins: Denmark with the early possession here - a chance to whip the ball in from a free-kick is well cleared by France.

Mbappe has just been seen off in his first duel of the evening by Hojbjerg...

World Cup 2022: France 0-0 Denmark

16:02 , Kieran Jackson

KICK-OFF: Denmark get us underway in their changed strip of white shirts and red shorts, with France in their usual blue kit.

A win for the French will see them be the first team to qualify for the last-16!

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark: A reminder of the teams at Stadium 974!

15:58 , Kieran Jackson

France: Hugo Lloris, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe

Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel, Joachim Andersen, Victor Nelsson, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Pierre Hojbjerg, Christian Eriksen, Joakim Maehle, Jesper Lindstrom, Andreas Cornelius, Mikkel Damsgaard

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark: The teams are out at Stadium 974!

15:55 , Kieran Jackson

France are looking to make it two wins from two after they came from a goal down against Australia to run out 4-1 victors in their opening match. Olivier Giroud bagged a brace to maintain his great form for Les Bleus whilst Kylian Mbappe also got his tournament underway with a goal against the Socceroos.

Their opponents, Denmark, where left frustrated in their first game of the competition as they were held to a goalless draw against African side Tunisia. Not even Christian Eriksen’s emotional return to the international stage – following his collapse during the Euros – could inspire the Danes to break through Tunisia’s solid defence.

Les Bleus will qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament should they sweep past Denmark this afternoon but they haven’t beaten today’s opponents since 2015.

Time for the national anthems!

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark: Why Karim Benzema’s absence could improve France’s World Cup chances

15:53 , Kieran Jackson

Take Karim Benzema out of the Real Madrid side last season and it is entirely uncontroversial to suggest they would not have won La Liga or the Champions League; not without his 44 goals in 46 games. Remove him from the France team and there is a case to say their chances of winning the World Cup are greater.

It is an argument based on history rather than individual quality, admittedly: French history, in particular. The peculiarity of their two triumphant campaigns is that neither contained a goal from the main No 9. Benzema scored three goals in 2014 and France exited in the quarter-finals. Stephane Guivarc’h failed to score in 1998 – indeed he ended his international career with a lone goal – and France won the World Cup. Olivier Giroud did not even muster a shot on target in 2018, yet he was the selfless foil as Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe scored four times apiece. Glory went to France.

None of which necessarily makes possessing a non-scoring striker a failsafe formula, but it may mean Benzema’s absence does not spell a death sentence to France’s defence of their crown. Didier Deschamps sounded stoical. “Despite this new blow, I have every confidence in my squad,” the France coach said. “We are going to do everything to meet the immense challenge that awaits us.”

In part, that reflects the potency of Mbappe and Griezmann; each was a scorer in the last final. It also highlights the curious cause of Giroud, who spent much of Benzema’s five-year international exile as France’s first-choice striker when he did not always have the same status at Arsenal and then at Chelsea. The 36-year-old could become France’s record scorer in Qatar, though his past suggests not: only five of his 49 international goals have come in major tournaments.

That the record passed from Just Fontaine to Michel Platini to Thierry Henry shows that it has tended to be the domain of the greats. Giroud has rarely been bracketed in that category – he would be an incongruous sight at the summit when the top 10 also includes Zinedine Zidane, Jean-Pierre Papin, Griezmann and Mbappe – who, given his youth, would surely overhaul him before his 30th birthday.

Could Karim Benzema’s absence improve France’s World Cup chances?

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark: The teams have finished their warm-ups!

15:48 , Kieran Jackson

2018 final vs Croatia, 2022 vs Australia.... Kylian Mbappe is looking to score for the third-straight World Cup game running against Denmark this afternoon at Stadium 974!

However, Denmark recently won both Nations League games against France whilst earning a 0-0 draw with the eventual champions in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup.

Should be a cracking contest this!

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark: Pre-match odds!

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

France 5/6

Draw 5/2

Denmark 15/4

Odds provided by Betfair

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark - Lucas Hernandez out of World Cup with knee injury

15:38 , Kieran Jackson

Lucas Hernandez has become the latest France player to be ruled out of the World Cup.

The Bayern Munich defender was forced off in the first half of Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Australia and subsequent scans have shown a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee.

It means Hernandez will be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and play no further part in the holders’ attempts to defend their World Cup title in Qatar.

National team boss Didier Deschamps said: “Like the whole group, players and staff, I am extremely sorry for Lucas.

“We are losing an important element. Lucas is a warrior and I have no doubt that he will do everything possible to return to the game. “First plan, I know him well. Courage, he will have it, that’s for sure.”

France defender Lucas Hernandez out of World Cup with knee injury

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark - Here’s what happened earlier in Group D: Tunisia 0-1 Australia

15:27 , Kieran Jackson

With the reigning world champions up against every expert’s pick for dark horses in Group C’s other outing, this was always going to be billed as the battle of its also-rans, in its rightful place as first up and firmly on Saturday’s undercard. But if either Tunisia or Australia could beat the other, they would have a good chunk of the points required to have a shot at a surprise last-16 spot, and would only need a result against their European rivals to sneak in.

Tunisia started the day in the stronger position but, courtesy of Mitch Duke’s deft first-half header, Australia ended it in the ascendancy. Their World Cup 2022 campaign was always likely to come down to this specific game and by just about edging it, Graham Arnold’s side know that a win against Denmark will see a limited but organised group of players emulate 2006’s ‘Golden Generation’ by reaching the knock-out stages.

That may still be a tall task but it is no taller than Tunisia’s. The Eagles of Carthage impressed in holding Denmark to a point earlier this week but now have to beat France - and perhaps beat them handsomely - in order to have any hope of extending their stay in Qatar.

Scoring a goal would help. Despite mounting a spell of desperate late pressure, they rarely looked like opening their account for the tournament.

Just as against Denmark in Education City on Tuesday, Tunisia’s travelling support took up the majority of the tickets on offer, effectively turning the Al Janoub into a home ground. Small pockets of green and gold were vastly outnumbered in the stands but Australia would not be outgunned on the pitch, where, just as against France, they made the faster, stronger start.

The scrappy initial stages found a brief moment of fluency as Riley McGree’s ball out to left found Craig Goodwin in space. Australia’s goalscorer against the world champions would turn creator, but not without the assistance of a heavy deflection on his cross that sent it bouncing into the ground and up towards the head of Duke. An expertly-judged flick carried the ball beyond Aymen Dahmen.

Australia beat Tunisia to claim first World Cup win in 12 years

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark - Christian Eriksen returns to major tournament stage at Qatar World Cup... with added percussion

15:15 , Kieran Jackson

Seventeen months after suffering a heart attack during Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen did what had seemed unthinkable at the time and walked out on to the pitch with many of the same Danish teammates who had stood around him collapsed on the turf, to play in the 2022 World Cup.

What is almost as remarkable as his appearance in Qatar, played in the sort of sticky heat that sucks at the lungs and pumps the heart, is that he arrives restored as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Arguably Eriksen is more complete than ever before, reinvented slightly as more of a tempo-setter at Manchester United but still carrying a gleaming arsenal of weapons, that flat missile of a cross as treacherous to defend as it ever was.

It is the sort of cliche befitting a World Cup to say that Eriksen’s cerebral nature embodies the temperament of his nation. Interviews with Eriksen portray an almost sheepishness in that soft scratchy voice, as if he’s sorry to have had such a showy cardiac arrest.

His football is a reflection of the man: concise and efficient without ever taking an unnecessary touch, shuffling around midfield like an innocent bystander, knitting and stitching in areas of apparent safety. But an opponent’s sense of security is usually misplaced: like a magic trick, he appears on the right wing and a single swing of his right boot cuts Tunisia’s defence in half.

Christian Eriksen returns to a major tournament stage – with added percussion

World Cup 2022: France vs Denmark - Didier Deschamps hopes France have learnt lessons from Denmark defeats

14:58 , Kieran Jackson

France manager Didier Deschamps hopes his side learnt lessons from surprise Nations League defeats to Denmark ahead of Saturday’s World Cup 2022 clash in Doha.

The reigning champions go into the encounter leading the way in Group D after kicking off their title defence with an emphatic 4-1 thrashing of Australia. Yet Denmark, who began with a goalless draw against Tunisia, are bidding for a hat-trick of wins over Les Bleus, having already beaten them home and away this year.

“They are underestimated as a team,” Deschamps said. “We are talking about a four-month period where they beat us twice and made life very difficult for us. We will have to make sure that’s not the case (this weekend).

“It is not a question of revenge because we know the Danish players and they know us. They can change system from one match to the other and that can give us different types of difficulties.”

Deschamps will be forced into at least one change to the starting XI which began against Australia as Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez is out of the rest of the tournament with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

His brother Theo Hernandez is expected to replace him, while Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane is fit to start but winger Kingsley Coman (hip) sat out Friday’s training session. Denmark won 2-1 in Paris in June before defeating the world champions 2-0 in Copenhagen at the end of September.

Didier Deschamps hopes France have learnt lessons from Denmark defeats

France vs Denmark: World Cup LIVE - Your starting XIs!

14:43 , Kieran Jackson

France: Hugo Lloris, Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernandez, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe

Raphael Varane back in the starting line-up for the reigning world champions!

Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel, Joachim Andersen, Victor Nelsson, Andreas Christensen, Rasmus Kristensen, Pierre Hojbjerg, Christian Eriksen, Joakim Maehle, Jesper Lindstrom, Andreas Cornelius, Mikkel Damsgaard

France vs Denmark: World Cup LIVE

14:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

France continue their World Cup 2022 campaign as they face Denmark in Group D this afternoon. The reigning champions are looking to make it two wins from two after they came from a goal down against Australia to run out 4-1 victors in their opening match. Olivier Giroud bagged a brace to maintain his great form for Les Bleus whilst Kylian Mbappe also got his tournament underway with a goal against the Socceroos.