World champions France became the first side to advance to the FIFA World Cup last 16 after defeating Denmark 2-1 on Saturday evening.
As a knee injury in Les Blues' win over Australia ruled Lucas Hernandez out of the tournament, it has brought an opening for Theo Hernandez with Jules Kounde and Ibrahima Konate also recalled.
The reigning champions encountered a penetrative start which very nearly resulted in the opener in a glancing header from Raphael Varane off a corner-kick which needed a big defensive clearance.
France unleashed a more potent threat around 20 minutes after a pin-point header from Adrien Rabiot off a smart free-kick produced a flying save from Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The Danes maiden scare on the goal of Les Blues came ten minutes to halftime when a break-attack found Andreas Cornelius wide of the area and the forward slammed beyond the near post.
Cornelius didn't turn out for the second period and instead was withdrawn for Martin Braithwaite, as Les Blues decided against any alterations ahead of the resumption.
France posed more threats a little in the second half and were rewarded as Kylian Mbappe worked a small space in the box and tapped in a cutback from Hernandez to make it 1-0.
The Danes evened matters during the midway stage of the second half where Andreas Christensen popped up in the box and headed a delivery from a corner-kick beyond Hugo Lloris.
Les Blues, though, were back ahead five minutes before time after Mbappe sneaked in at the far post and turned home a cross-field ball from Griezmann.
France didn't experience any late drama from their European counterparts and secured the win that advanced them to the last 16 of the World Cup.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click here to register: Sign In