Denmark get the point they need to join France in the last-16 of the World Cup. A poor first half showing was followed by an even more dull second as neither team tried to take charge of the game. It took only the 82nd minute before either goalkeeper was tested, with Schmeichel tipping away Fekir's curling effort. Mbappe added energy to the French attack but still could not create anything worthy of note. With the likes of Croatia or Argentina potential opponents in the last-16, both sides will have to up their game if they hope to progress any further.
Clive RoseFULL-TIME: DENMARK 0-0 FRANCE
90+2 mins: SUB! Delaney injures himself in that challenge on Mbappe. Lerager comes on to replace him.
90 mins: Mbappe again the inspiration as he latches onto the loose ball after Delaney's challenge and makes his way into the box. He lays it off to Giroud who can only poke his return pass behind the run of Mbappe. Better from France.
89 mins: France move the ball around with comfort, but it is all sideways and backwards. It's worked to Mbappe on the right wing who tries to inject some energy into the attack, but the return pass from N'Zonzi is too heavy and the PSG forward can only flick the ball behind for a goal kick.
87 mins: A chorus of boos ring around the stadium once more as Denmark pass it safely along the back line. France are dominating possession at the moment though, Denmark look happy just to hold on for a draw.
86 mins: Prior to his substitution in the 68th minute, Griezmann didn’t complete a single pass to strike partner Giroud in this game.
84 mins: Mbappe has added a bit of life to the French attack but they are still unable to find any way through the Danish defence so far.
82 mins: CHANCE! 82 minutes played and a goalkeeper is finally tested. Fekir picks the ball up just outside the box and curls a low effort towards the bottom-left corner, but Schmeichel reacts well to punch the ball wide.
80 mins: 10 minutes left to play and this game is being played at walking pace at times. Fans all around the stadium voice their displeasure. It has been a poor game.
78 mins: SUB! Dembele, who has offered plenty of pace to France but no real end product, is replaced by Paris Saint-Germain teenager Mbappe.
77 mins: Denmark's turn to get bodies forward and test the French back line, but the men in white are holding firm. The Danish fans are cheering every pass.
75 mins: A like-for-like change up front for Denmark as Cornelius is replaced by Ajax's Dolberg.
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74 mins: They do finally create something though. Mendy fires in a decent cross towards the head of Giroud, but the Chelsea man can only glance his header wide of the right post.
73 mins: France continuining to see plenty of the ball but their final product is lacking.
71 mins: This game has arguably been even slower and more lifeless in the second half than the first. Neither side have really put any pressure on their opponents to go for the win.
68 mins: Mendy tries to spark some life into the game as he bursts down the left wing, but his deep cross is over the head of everyone. Denmark get a free kick for holding in the box anyway.
SUB! Griezmann is replaced by Fekir for France's second change, with passage to the knockout stages already secured.
67 mins: Slow, ponderous Danish possession comes to an end when a chipped through ball is straight into the hands of Mandanda.
66 mins: Denmark with a spell of possession in the final third but they are unable to work anything towards Cornelius in the box. They keep the ball though.
63 mins: That has summed up this game so far. Lemar has acres of space in the centre of the pitch and chips a pass wide to the left, to no one at all. Straight out of play for a Danish throw.
62 mins: Delaney latches onto a long ball on the right of the French box. He tries to worm his way beyond Kimpembe and forces the defender to concede a corner.
60 mins: Sisto, who has not had much impact on today's game, is replaced by Fischer for Denmark's first change.
59 mins: CHANCE! Varane's clearance only goes as far as the edge of the box and the ball finds its way back to Eriksen, but his low drilled effort rolls narrowly wide of the left post.
58 mins: Sisto finally sees a bit of the ball and races towards the box. His cross isn't the best though and Varane can clear.
56 mins: A slight delay as Cornelius receives treatment for a collision with Kimpembe. Nothing too serious though. This game has still yet to come to life in this second half.
54 mins: CHANCE! Eriksen stands over a free kick just over 25 yards from goal. His low shot is straight at Mandana, who spills the ball. Cornelius races forward for the tap in but the France goalkeeper recovers quickly to claim at the second attempt.
53 mins: Peru have doubled their lead against Australia through Paolo Guerrero. It is looking increasingly likely that Denmark will progress alongside France regardless of the score here, unless the Australians can make an unlikely comeback.
52 mins: France are finally beginning to turn up the heat. Griezmann gets the ball inside the box but he is dispossessed before he can turn towards goal.
50 mins: France make an early change as Hernandez is replaces by Manchester City's Mendy. The incoming left-back is still on his way back to full fitness following a seven-month injury lay-off.
48 mins: France enjoying plenty of possession but it is all in front of the Danish side. A cross from the left tries to find Giroud in the box but the Chelsea forward is penalised for holding his marker.
46 mins: We are back underway!
It will benefit both sides if the score stays level but France at least will be under pressure to put in a performance in this second half. Deschamps will be unlikely to risk his key players unless Denmark take the lead but they will need to turn all their possession into some positive attacking play, if only to give their fans a reason to be optimistic heading into the knockout stages.
All square at the break in what has been a timid half of football. France dominated possession but lacked any real penetration to their attacks. Griezmann and Dembele both had efforts from range but overall Schmeichel was never tested. Denmark had few chances at the other end but Braithwaite missed the ball entirely when through on goal, while Eriksen's chance was smothered by Mandanda.
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HALF-TIME: DENMARK 0-0 FRANCE
45+3 mins: Zanka is booked for a foul on Griezmann as France break forward. There will be no time to take the free kick though.
45+1 mins: The fourth official has indicated two minutes of additional time.
45 mins: France finally up the pace of their play, giving Dembele space on the edge of the box. The forward if off balance as he strikes the ball though, skewing it high and wide of Schmeichel's goal.
43 mins: France finally get in behind the Danish defence via the run of Griezmann, but the linesman flag is up for offside.
41 mins: Better from France. Dembele races away down the right wing and chips a cross towards the back post. Giroud opts to wait on the edge of the box instead of challenging for the ball, allowing Kjaer to head clear with ease.
40 mins: France suddenly break forward at the other end as the spaces open up on the counter. Griezmann tries to curl an effort from the edge of the box but it is straight into the welcoming hands of Schmeichel.
39 mins: Eriksen does finally pick the ball up in an attacking position and he gets his head up quickly to try and find Cornelius at the back post. Well defended by Varane though.
37 mins: Denmark have done well with their rare opportunities going forward, but they have yet to get their creative players involved in the game so far. Eriksen and Sisto have barely had a touch.
36 mins: Another France attack comes to nothing. Giroud dinks a pass over the Danish defence but Griezmann slips as he turns to run onto it.
34 mins: Denmark and France still looking for the first shot on target of the game.
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33 mins: CHANCE! Dembele creates a bit of space for himself on the edge of the box but he can only curl his effort beyond the far post.
31 mins: Lemar tries to worm into space on the edge of the Denmark box but he is dispossessed. France have been poor in attack in truth, Denmark have been the better side.
29 mins: CHANCE! Delaney does brilliantly to fight off a challenge and find Cornelius down the left wing. The striker fires in a wonderful low cross towards the penalty box and Eriksen races onto it, but Mandana does well to close down the space and smother the danger. Best chance of the game from both sides so far.
28 mins: Giroud rises high to meet the corner but it is cleared away by Christensen. There is a stop in play as Kjaer receives treatment for a head injury.
27 mins: Lemar whips an excellent free kick along the front of goal but no France player can get on the end of it. Kjaer clears for a corner.
25 mins: Danish fans are making plenty of noise as they continue to hold off French attacks with ease. All too easy for Denmark at the moment.
23 mins: Denmark try to make some headway with a long ball down the right wing but it is always too high for Eriksen to get to. France throw.
21 mins: It is very evenly contested as we approach the halfway point of the first half. France, as expected, are enjoying plenty of possession but Denmark are defending well.
19 mins: Peru have taken the lead against Australia in the other Group C game. As things stand, Denmark will progress to the last-16 regardless of their own result.
18 mins: France continue to see plenty of the ball but there is no penetration at all to their attacks. Denmark try to break forward on the counter attack but Cornelius cannot beat Lemar for pace on the right wing.
16 mins: France get their first corner of the game. There is plenty of pace on the cross by Lemar but Varane can only glance his header wide of the right post.
14 mins: France continue to dominate possession but Denmark are getting plenty of bodies behind the ball and limiting their space in the final third.
12 mins: Neither side have really offered much going forward so far in the early stages of this game. Braithwaite is making a nuisance of himself to the French defence but has yet to fashion a chance, while Griezmann is doing the same at the other end.
10 mins: France are lacking any rhythm in their play at the moment, as a simple pass is overhit and straight out for a Danish throw. Denmark are looking the better side when they come forward.
8 mins: Griezmann is free down the right and fires a low cross towards Giroud, but it is easily dealt with by the Danish defence.
6 mins: Eriksen stands over Denmark's first corner of the game. The delivery finds Delaney at the front post but N'Zonzi does enough to put the midfielder off and send his effort wide.
5 mins: Steve Mandanda is the oldest Frenchman to make his World Cup debut (33y 89d).
4 mins: Denmark penetrate the French defence with their first foray forward. Braithwaite flicks the ball over the head of Kimpembe and races in on goal, but he misses the ball completely as he goes to shoot. A let off for France there.
2 mins: France move the ball patiently around the midfield, waiting for their opening. Sidibe is found in space on the right wing and gets away from his marker, but his low cross is easily cleared. Denmark are getting everybody but Cornelius behind the ball.
1 min: France, playing in white today, get the game underway!
HERE WE GO...
The national anthems are sung and the players are in position and ready to go. Kick-off is imminent.
France make six changes to the side that beat Peru 1-0, as Deschamps opts to rest key players with progress to the knockout stages already secured. Mandana replaces Lloris in goal, while Sidibe and Kimpembe come into defence alongside Varane and Hernandez. N’Zonzi replaces Pogba in midfield, while Matuidi and Mbappe take their place on the bench in favour of Dembele and Lemar.
Denmark make three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Australia last time out. Zanka comes into defence alongside Christensen, with Schone dropping to the bench. Braithwaite and Cornelius line up in attack, with Jorgensen dropping to the bench and Poulsen not in the squad at all.
France substitutes: Nabil Fekir, Benjamin Pavard, Alphonse Areola, Samuel Umtiti, Florian Thauvin, Blaise Matuidi, Hugo Lloris, Adil Rami, Kylian Mbappe, Benjamin Mendy, Paul Pogba, Corentin Tolisso
France XI (4-2-3-1): Steve Mandanda; Djibril Sidibe, Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez; Steven N’Zonzi, N’Golo Kante; Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Lemar; Olivier Giroud
Denmark substitutes: Jonas Lossl, Jannik Vestergaard, Frederik Ronnow, Nicolai Jorgensen, Jonas Knudsen, Lasse Schone, Lukas Lerager, Kasper Dolberg, Viktor Fischer, Michael Krohn-Dehli
Denmark XI (3-4-3): Kasper Schmeichel; Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Zanka; Henrik Dalsgaard, Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen, Jens Stryger Larsen; Martin Braithwaite, Andreas Cornelius, Pione Sisto
15 mins until KO: Let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
France have only won all three of their group stage games at a World Cup finals once before, back in 1998 when they went on to win the tournament. Their third win in that edition also came against Denmark.
Didier Deschamps has arguably one of the World Cup’s strongest squads at his disposal and were one of the favourites coming into the tournament, but France have yet to hit the heights many have expected of them. With the pressure of progress off their shoulders, France could finally play with the freedom needed to start firing on all cylinders.
France have already qualified for the next stage of the competition but will need to avoid defeat to qualify as group winners, with Denmark only two points behind them. Les Bleus have lost only once in seven meetings with Denmark, a 2-0 defeat at the 2002 World Cup.
STAT: If Denmark are awarded a penalty in this match, it will be the first time since Group C in 1998 that all four teams have had a penalty in a single World Cup group – that group also contained France and Denmark.
If they can secure their route into the knockout stages, it will match their best World Cup run since 2002, where they were knocked out at the last-16 stage by England. There are no guarantees for the Danish though, as a defeat coupled with an Australian victory could still see them finish third.
Denmark have got themselves into a good position to secure their progress into the last-16, following their draw with Australia. They only need a point against today’s opponents France to secure their passage, but it will be easier said than done.
30 mins until KO: Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of today’s World Cup Group C game between Denmark and France at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Squads & Team News
Didier Deschamps makes six changes to his France side in a bid to rest some key names ahead of the knockout stages. Mbappe, Hugo Lloris, Samuel Umtiti, Benjamin Pavard, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi all drop out of the side that beat Peru 1-0 in their last match.
For Denmark, there's only two changes, but Age Hareide has implemented a change of system. Yussuf Poulsen is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards, and striker Jorgensen is rested, while Huddersfield Town defender Zanka and Andreas Cornelius replace them in the side as they shift to a back five. A draw would mean both teams qualify, and perhaps the Danes are looking for a safety-first approach.
Confirmed Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Larsen, Zanka, Christensen, Kjaer, Dalsgaard; Delaney, Eriksen; Sisto, Cornelius, Braithwaite
Denmark subs: Lossl, Vestergaard, Ronnow, Jorgensen, Knudsen, Schone, Lerager, Dolberg, Fischer, Krohn-Dehli
Confirmed France XI: Mandanda; Hernandez, Kimpembe, Varane, Sidibe; Kante, Nzonzi; Lemar, Griezmann, Dembele; Giroud
France subs: Fekir, Pavard, Areola, Umtiti, Thauvin, Matuidi, Lloris, Rami, Mbappe, Mendy, Pogba, Tolisso
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| FOX / Telemundo | fubo TV (7-day free trial) |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on ITV 1 or streamed live online using the ITV Player.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| ITV 1 | ITV Player |
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Delaney latches onto a long ball on the right of the French box. He tries to worm his way beyond Kimpembe and forces the defender to concede a corner.
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