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France vs Denmark: Les Bleus look to continue strong start against stuttering Danes

AL WAKRAH, QATAR – NOVEMBER 22: Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Group D match between France and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar on November 22, 2022. (Photo by Fareed Kotb/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

France will look to maintain their perfect start to the World Cup as they take on Denmark in their second of Group D game this Saturday at the Stadium 974 in Rass Abou Aboud.

Didier Deschamps’ side breezed past Australia in their opening game despite initially going behind to a well worked goal from Craig Goodwin.

It didn’t take long for Les Bleus to right their wrongs as France took a 2-1 lead into the break thanks to goals from Adrien Rabiot and Olivier Giroud, who drew level with Thierry Henry as France’s record goal scorer. Kylian Mbappe also got in on the action before Giroud struck again to secure his side a 4-1 victory.

France looked very dangerous despite being ravaged by injuries in the buildup, having already lost key players including Karim Benzema, Christopher Nkunku, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante.

Denmark were held to a 0-0 draw against a plucky Tunisian side and will be hoping they can take inspiration from the past to gain a precious three points.

Kasper Hjulmand’s side did the double over France in their recent Nations League campaign, winning 1-2 away and 2-0 at home against the current World Champions.

The Dane’s struggled in large sections of their tie against Tunisia and failed to cope with the African side’s aggressive high pressing which is very concerning considering the quality of the French team they are about to face.

Christian Eriksen failed to have much of an influence in the game and looked increasingly isolated at times, something that Hjulmand will have to rectify if Denmark are to replicate their past heroics.

 

Team News

Both sides have suffered injuries from their first fixtures with France losing Theo Hernandez to an anterior cruciate ligament tear and Denmark’s Thomas Delaney withdrawing due to a knee injury.

 

France and Denmark have faced each other 16 times in the past with France winning eight, Denmark winning six and the other two ending in draws.

However, France have only managed just one World Cup victory over the Danes, something that will undoubtedly be playing on the minds of many French fans in the buildup to Saturdays match.

Author

  • Jack Hobbs

    21-year-old Sports Journalist. Previously a contributor for Green St Hammers & Vavel. Specialise in Football but interested in Basketball, Darts, F1 and American Football. If you’ve got a story, get in contact! @JH_Journalism