Denmark 2-0 France: Dynamite Danes misses the Nations League final despite the elimination of the Blues
Denmark threw down the gauntlet for the Qatar 2022 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over France, before narrowly missing out on the Nations League final.
First-half goals from Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen put the Danes firmly in the frame to reach next year's last four, only for the Croatian rivals to score twice in the second half to beat Austria and finish top of Group A1.< /p>
Nevertheless, a assured win over World Cup holders France in Copenhagen was a powerful reminder of Denmark's credentials for Qatar, having also reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Austria defeat helped the Blues avoid relegation to the second tier, but for Didier Deschamps the alarm bells could ring after a lackluster campaign.
With the risk of the gout blowing down their necks, it was the visitors who started the strongest, with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann performing the first tests for Kasper Schmeichel.
Yet Denmark steadily gained ground, and when Dolberg raced through the left post to meet Mikkel Damsgaard's cross and beat Alphonse Areola in the 34th minute, their lead was not unworthy.< /p>
Olsen's flare of a volley through a crowded area after a misaligned corner was also a fine finish, five minutes later, and it was France who entered the sheds on the back foot .
Attempts to fight back after the interval were frequent, albeit speculative, with Mbappe nearly catching Schmeichel twice, but Denmark's game management proved too shrewd to break, leading them to a famous victory.
What does this mean? Denmark improves references
Propelled by emotion following Christian Eriksen's collapse on this ground last year, Denmark recorded their best result in decades at a major tournament at the Euros, edged out by England in the semi-finals at Wembley.
But this run certainly doesn't look like a fluke after a Nations League campaign that saw them beat the world champions twice. They could go as far as Qatar.
Eriksen pulls the strings
After a difficult start at Manchester United, Eriksen has quietly established himself as a leader under Erik ten Hag this season, but his importance to Denmark has never been in doubt.
With eight key assists throughout, he more than doubled that department's second-best player - Antoine Griezmann with three for France.
The Blues equal the record for the worst year
It's another defeat for France in 2022, their third overall in competitive games. It's their worst tally for a single calendar year in history, tied with 1966, 1981, 2008 and 2010. As the omens go, it's less than promising for back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
>What's next?
It's the big one, the World Cup. And guess who the two are in Group D? Yes, Denmark will start against Tunisia, and France will face Australia on November 22, before those teams are reunited four days later.
Denmark threw down the gauntlet for the Qatar 2022 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over France, before narrowly missing out on the Nations League final.
First-half goals from Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen put the Danes firmly in the frame to reach next year's last four, only for the Croatian rivals to score twice in the second half to beat Austria and finish top of Group A1.< /p>
Nevertheless, a assured win over World Cup holders France in Copenhagen was a powerful reminder of Denmark's credentials for Qatar, having also reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Austria defeat helped the Blues avoid relegation to the second tier, but for Didier Deschamps the alarm bells could ring after a lackluster campaign.
With the risk of the gout blowing down their necks, it was the visitors who started the strongest, with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann performing the first tests for Kasper Schmeichel.
Yet Denmark steadily gained ground, and when Dolberg raced through the left post to meet Mikkel Damsgaard's cross and beat Alphonse Areola in the 34th minute, their lead was not unworthy.< /p>
Olsen's flare of a volley through a crowded area after a misaligned corner was also a fine finish, five minutes later, and it was France who entered the sheds on the back foot .
Attempts to fight back after the interval were frequent, albeit speculative, with Mbappe nearly catching Schmeichel twice, but Denmark's game management proved too shrewd to break, leading them to a famous victory.
What does this mean? Denmark improves references
Propelled by emotion following Christian Eriksen's collapse on this ground last year, Denmark recorded their best result in decades at a major tournament at the Euros, edged out by England in the semi-finals at Wembley.
But this run certainly doesn't look like a fluke after a Nations League campaign that saw them beat the world champions twice. They could go as far as Qatar.
Eriksen pulls the strings
After a difficult start at Manchester United, Eriksen has quietly established himself as a leader under Erik ten Hag this season, but his importance to Denmark has never been in doubt.
With eight key assists throughout, he more than doubled that department's second-best player - Antoine Griezmann with three for France.
The Blues equal the record for the worst year
It's another defeat for France in 2022, their third overall in competitive games. It's their worst tally for a single calendar year in history, tied with 1966, 1981, 2008 and 2010. As the omens go, it's less than promising for back-to-back World Cup triumphs.
>What's next?
It's the big one, the World Cup. And guess who the two are in Group D? Yes, Denmark will start against Tunisia, and France will face Australia on November 22, before those teams are reunited four days later.
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