0-0. A bore draw. With 38 games having been played and 99 goals scored, we now have the first nil-nil result in Denmark vs France, and what a boring game it was! Throughout, the game was dry and uneventful, neither side really committing to the ball. Complacency was rife, as both sides were comfortable with their position in the group and just needed to see this game off really, and now look forward to the last 16.

Deschamps lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 which saw six changes to the previous game, rotating the squad and giving some new players some game time. The starting XI was as follows: Steve Mandanda (GK), Lucas Hernandez (LB), Raphael Varane and Presnel Kimpembe (CBs), Djibril Sidibe (RB), N’Golo Kanté and Stephen N’Zonzi (CMs), Thomas Lemar (LW), Antoine Griezmann (CF), Ousmane Dembelé (RW) and Olivier Giroud (ST).

The Danes also had some changes to their team sheet. Schmeichel was in goal. The three at the back were Jorgensen, Christensen and Kjaer. Just in front, were Larsen, Eriksen, Delaney and Dalsgaard. Up top was Cornelius, with the right and left forwards being Braithwaite and Sisto respectively.

As far as match highlights go, there’s not really much for me to say. There were a few shots on target and routine saves either way but other than that no real standout plays in the game. Neither side went for it and I’d liked to have seen a lot more firepower. France dominated possession with 66%, to little avail though.

Denmark now go on to face Croatia in their knockout game, whereas France will play the runners up of Group C.

DENMARK PLAYER RATINGS:

Kasper Schmeichel (7) Had nothing to do really, had an average game. Another clean sheet to his name.

Mathias Jorgensen (6) Can’t really fault or praise him here. 

Andreas Christensen (6) Defended well and did alright.

Simon Kjær (6.5) Decent performance from the skipper, the three defenders can be happy with the clean sheet.

Jens Stryger Larsen (6) Didn’t really impact the game, ran up and down the flanks well though.

Christian Eriksen (5.5) Shame really that this man wasn’t at his usual best.

Thomas Delaney (5) Ineffective, coupled with how Eriksen wasn’t firing too.

Henrik Dalsgaard (6) The Brentford wing back was ok; nothing more, nothing less.

Pione Sisto (6.5) Decent game from the young forward, got a few shots away and tried to make runs.

Martin Braithwaite (6) Nothing memorable really from the Middlesborough player.

Victor Cornelius (5.5) Struggled up top, lacked the service he needed to make things happen.

SUBSTITUTES:

Kasper Dolberg (6) Came on for a good little spell at the end, which will be great experience for the young Ajax attacker.

Lukas Leragar (n/a)

Viktor Fischer (6) Played well coming on for Sisto for the last half an hour.

This game didn’t live up to the standard of the same fixture in 2002. (Image from Who Ate all the Pies)

FRANCE:

Steve Mandanda (7) Good game back into the thick of things, for the old timer. Clean sheet, what more do you want.

Lucas Hernandez (6) Ineffective really, didn’t influence the game when he was on.

Presnel Kimpembe (7) Promising introduction into the France national team for the PSG starlet, and the future looks bright for him.

Raphael Varane (7) Stand in captain for the game, stood up and was quite solid at the back. Had touches all over the park.

Djibril Sidibe (6.5) Tidy with the ball at his feet and a pacy, competent right back.

N’Golo Kanté (6) Standard game for him.

Stephen N’Zonzi (6.5) With both Pogba and Tolisso on yellow cards and sitting out, the La Liga midfielder slotted in nicely with Kanté.

Thomas Lemar (5) Should be doing better, a player of his hype, price tags and quality. Needs to justify his inclusion ahead of the likes of Martial.

Antoine Griezmann (6) Wasn’t too shabby, tried to link up with Giroud and the wingers too.

Ousmane Dembelé (6) Used his pace well and tried to get in and around the box, not too successful, though.

Olivier Giroud (6.5) Typical Olivier Grioud. Held up play, tried to string through passes and looked forward. 

SUBSTITUTES:

Benjamin Mendy (6.5) I liked what I saw when this guy came on for Hernandez for most of the second half. Played well. 

Kylian Mbappé (6) Like for like switch for Dembelé and continued in the same fashion.

Nabil Fekir (5) Came on for Griezmann for the last 20 or so minutes, didn’t make play like he should’ve.


MAN OF THE MATCH: Kasper Schmeichel