FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Group C Recap, France And Denmark Advance
Perhaps in the less-attracting match in the World Cup, France and Denmark worked themselves into a draw to 0-0. Fortunately, Peru was playing simultaneously against Australia in the more attractive match.
Denmark created the first opening with a header from Andreas Cornelius on a potential penalty that was dismissed by referee Sandro Ricci. Christian Eriksen crossed another ball for Simon Kjaer but headed wide. However, both sides were struggling to create clear openings. With the score both France and Denmark would go to the next round.
On the most attractive match, Peru beat Australia 2-0 in Sochi. Los Incas ended their tournament run in third place after crashing Australia’s hopes to advance. A stunning volley from Ande Carrillo put Peru ahead. Soon after, captain and all-time leading goalscorer Paolo Guerrero added the second and last goal. Australia had very little hopes after the second goal came at the beginning of the second half.
Peru gained their first victory in the World Cup in 40 years while scoring their first goal in 36 years.
Team Profiles:
France (2-1-0, 7 points)
- Results: VAR, goal-line technology bail out France in their first match against Australia in 2-1 match. They later went on to beat Peru 1-0 with a brilliant goal by Kylian Mbappe. France then stumbled into a first 0-0 draw of the 2018 World Cup against Denmark.
- Notable: France, 1998 World Cup champions, were heavy favors to advance. However, they have lots of names in their squad playing in big-time clubs around the world.
- Player to watch: Antoine Griezmann, perhaps the best and most talented player in France’s squad. Despite this, he has yet been able to explode in this World Cup. Their next match may be his out-coming.
Denmark (1-2-0, 5 points)
- Results: In a match they should had lost, Denmark beat Peru in a slim 1-0 win. Australia went on to salvage a draw with VAR-awarded penalty to a 1-1. Against France, they appeared to be wanting to win but went on to a dull 0-0 draw.
- Notable: Denmark’s best achievement came in the quarterfinals of 1998 while having only four appearances in World Cups. However, Denmark reached the World Cup after defeating Republic of Ireland in the playoffs to a 1-5 match.
- Player to watch: Christian Eriksen, the Tottenham star is the hero and inspiration of the Danes. Only Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo top his remarkable goal haul of 11 in Europe’s Russia 2018 preliminaries.
