FRANCE – DENMARK | Saturday 5pm
One more win and then the ‘champion’s curse’ – the one which, since 2010, has seen the cup-holding team eliminated at the group stage – could be broken. France, despite some initial shivers, got off on the right foot in Qatar. Proving, if proof were needed, that whoever wants to lift the most coveted trophy next 18 December under the skies of Lusail will also have to reckon with it. In the debut match against Australia, things had gone wrong after only nine minutes: Goodwin’s goal had conjured up old ghosts, which were immediately dispelled thanks to a comeback that was almost entirely ‘Italian’. In the sense that it was two who play in Serie A, Rabiot and Giroud, with Juventus and AC Milan respectively, who rang the bell. Mbappé’s signature was also part of the resounding 4-1 win: the PGS phenomenon and symbol of this selection could not miss the ‘party’.
Sorry Didier Deschamps, who took the first three points of this group stage, taking advantage of Denmark’s half-failure – the Scandinavians were held to a 0-0 draw by Tunisia – his next opponent and the most credible contender for first place in Group D. In the event of victory, of course, the Bleus would already be certain to play in the round of 16. For the defending champions, it was crucial to start with a victory, especially after the disappointing Nations League in June and September – in which, incidentally, France were beaten twice by Denmark – which had raised some doubts. The discordant note of the evening was the injury, the umpteenth for the transalpine selection, of Lucas Hernandez. He too will have to say goodbye to the event.
It was a false start for Kasper Hjulmand’s side, who were unable to go beyond a 0-0 draw against Tunisia and were already forced to chase. Eriksen and his team-mates came up against the defensive ‘wall’ erected by the North Africans, who did well not to leave them any space. Much of the responsibility, however, lies with the coach. The initial choices were not convincing: he tried to adjust the shot in the second half with changes, but they were all too late: the assault on Dahmen’s goal proved fruitless.
France-Denmark: latest line-up news
The Milan player Theo Hernandez will take the place of his brother Luca, who was seriously injured against Australia. Deschamps loses more pieces after the defections of Nkunku and Benzema, who had to say goodbye to Qatar even before the World Cup began. In the centre of defence, it will be Varane’s turn (and not Konaté’s) to duet with Upamecano, while on the right flank Pavard remains ahead of Koundé. Rabiot, one of the Bleus’ most in-form players, will be confirmed in the middle, alongside Tchouaméni. No changes in attack, where Giroud will be assisted by Dembelé, Griezmann and Mbappé.
Hjulmand also has to reckon with bad luck: Delaney’s World Cup injury to his knee is over. On the left, in the attacking trident with Skov Olsen and Dolberg – the two who castigated France in the last Nations League clash – will play an old acquaintance of the Italian league as the former Doriano Damsgaard.
The prediction
France’s display of strength of character allows Deschamps to think positively ahead of a crucial match. There are precedents in the Nations League that give Denmark hope, but motivation in an event like the World Cup will be very different. The Danes will find more space this time than in the match against Tunisia and should score at least one goal. However, France remain favourites in a match of at least one goal on each side.
France-Denmark line-up probables
- FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Dembelé, Griezmann, Mbappé; Giroud.
- DENMARK (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Kjaer; Kristensen, Hojbjerg, Eriksen, Maehle; Skov Olsen, Dolberg, Damsgaard.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
