After a dull match, France and Denmark ended as a draw (0-0), Tuesday 26th June, in Moscow (Russia). Les Bleus still finish at the top of their group in the World Cup 2018
Rarely a draw has been so much: the team of France has fulfilled its goal to finish first place in Group C, Tuesday 26th June in Moscow, at the price of a 0-0, a totally dull match against the accomplice Denmark, also qualified for the knockout rounds of the competition.
The Blues finished with seven points after the victories against Australia (2-1) and Peru (1-0), ahead of the Scandinavians (5 points) and Peru (3 points), which beat 2-0. Australia (1 point) in the other pool match.
Didier Deschamps’s men must wait until later tonight to know their opponent for the knockout stage, which will be played on Saturday in Kazan from Group D (Croatia, Nigeria, Iceland, Argentina).
A draw was enough for the French and Danes to achieve their goal, to be at the top of the group for Les Bleus who were already qualified, and the point that ensured the Danish participation in the knockout round. And Peruvian goals parallel to Sochi from the 18th and 50th minutes were finishing abuse the issue in Moscow Denmark was qualified even if he lost.
Row
The Nordiques were incisive twenty minutes, then the French have mastered and managed. A lobed shot from Giroud, perhaps not framed, output by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (15th), a handful of shots without danger, on the goalkeeper or not framed, no, nothing to put in their mouths.
The symbol is the son Schmeichel who puts his foot on the balloon and waits, making grow a bronca that pierced by jerks previously (81). A minute later, the Danish keeper diverts a nice shot from Nabil Fekir (82). First and last net opportunity of the match. And a lined whistle at the final whistle.
The dilution of the stake ended up killing the game, to the point of arousing the lazzi of the Luzhniki stadium and the “ironic ole” of the Danes for the passes of their players – it is always better to whistle and laugh yellow than open the veins. In football jargon, this is called a purge.
If the style Deschamps in the game is still foggy, the leg DD in the international tournaments clears up, at least in the group stage: two wins, then a 0-0, against Ecuador and Switzerland respectively at the World Cup. 2014 and at Euro-2016. Who were still a little more engaged.
For the coach, the milestone of Moscow Tuesday was more in his record of 79 matches at the head of the Blues, equaling Raymond Domenech (2004-2010). And if he plans to win the “second star”, it will break a historic series: the Blues have won their three titles (World-1998 and European Championships 1984 and 2000) beating each time Denmark in the group stage …
C’est terminé ! 0-0 entre le Danemark et la France ! Nos Bleus restent en tête du groupe C #FRA #FRADAN #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/Ifha0MTeRL
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 26, 2018
Lemar and Dembélé disappoint
The paradox, having so negated the game, it is that the team of France nevertheless fulfilled most of its objectives: the first place, therefore, but also the absence of injury or new yellow card. Already knowledgeable players, midfielders Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Corentin Tolisso, did not play.
It was also to give playing time to “hairdressers”, some of whom had a shot to play this Tuesday for the rest of the tournament. As Thomas Lemar, weaned off playing time, had an opportunity to show that he could be used more on the left wing, with the return to 4-2-3-1 that had previously smiled on him. He did not do it for lack of vivacity and daring, he usually so lively and creative.
For Steve Mandanda, Presnel Kimpembe, Steven N’Zonzi and Ousmane Dembélé, the competition of the usual holders Hugo Lloris, Samuel Umtiti, Pogba and Kylian Mbappé condemns them to return to the bench. Dembélé narrowly missed in his last pass, not really convincing.
Mandanda, for his first match in the tournament finals, captured a free-kick Eriksen (54th) in two stages, otherwise nothing. It was the first time since 1986 (Joel Bats and Albert Rust) that two French goalkeepers were used in the same World. A statistic as (in) interesting as this match.
