FRANCE SECURED THEIR place ahead of Denmark in Group C following a 0-0 draw in Moscow that could set up a heavyweight World Cup clash with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the last 16.
Didier Deschamps’ side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark, who will likely meet Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.
France have scored just three times in three games in Russia, including a penalty and an own goal, and it was another disjointed display from one of the title favourites.
They will discover their opponents in the next round later on Tuesday, with Argentina needing to beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg to stand a chance of qualifying.
Deschamps rested captain Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, with the Manchester United midfielder a booking away from suspension, while Kylian Mbappe was also left out among six changes.
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 33, made his first appearance at a major tournament, having been an unused substitute at the last three European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.
After much debate about the video assistant referee (VAR) following further controversy on Monday, it was inevitable any penalty area tussles would prompt strong appeals at the Luzhniki Stadium.
There have already been 20 penalties given at this World Cup, a tournament record before the group stage has even concluded.
Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite laid an early claim after going down under pressure from Presnel Kimpembe, although there appeared minimal contact at best.
France had a penalty shout of their own when Henrik Dalsgaard slid in on Lucas Hernandez, with Kasper Schmeichel tipping behind Olivier Giroud’s looping follow-up effort.
Committed play from Thomas Delaney saw him release Andreas Cornelius down the left flank but Christian Eriksen was unable to apply a finishing touch as Mandanda and Hernandez combined to clear.
Antoine Griezmann then shot tamely at Schmeichel from 20 yards, the Atletico Madrid forward’s biggest contribution coming just before the break when he sparked a threatening counter that drew a cynical foul from Mathias Jorgensen.
A bystander for long periods, Mandanda was nearly caught out by a speculative Eriksen free-kick as he spilled before pouncing on the rebound just ahead of Cornelius.
A miscued clearance from Djibril Sidibe soon presented Eriksen with another chance, the Tottenham star dragging wide of the target on this occasion.
Nabil Fekir was introduced for Griezmann for the final 20 minutes, and the Lyon forward looked lively right away as he hammered a shot just the wrong side of the post.
Mbappe was introduced late on for an ineffective Ousmane Dembele, but it was again Fekir who went closest to ending the impasse with a low, bouncing shot that forced Schmeichel into a sharp save.
Loud jeers from a sold-out crowd of 78,011 greeted the final whistle although it was a result that suited both sides as Denmark, now unbeaten in 18 matches, reached the latter stages of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
"It's a contradiction because they have won the group, but they have no momentum..." - Damien Duff wonders when France's performances will match what they have on paper.#RTEsoccerhttps://t.co/DjKnZFuF1l pic.twitter.com/Nl8bcdtTEG
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 26, 2018
Didi Hamann has changed his mind about this France team and now feels that they "flatter to deceive".#RTEsoccerhttps://t.co/DjKnZFuF1l pic.twitter.com/SMfFMDUGcR
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 26, 2018
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Played a really solid round today – great to see him go low and win. Putted superbly all week – hopefully a sign of good things to come this season.
Great job Rory.
@thomas walsh:
Hit the 20 wins also, no more qualifying for PGA tour for life! Nice bonus.
Majestic display! The old Rory is back.
Super stuff played terrific golf over the weekend. Always glad to see him do well and keep his detractors quiet
Not at his brilliant best like he was on Saturday but even better that his game management was world class to grind out the win. In recent times Rory would have been drawn into a match with Rickie Fowler but expertly played to shoot a number. PS, I wonder how many posts would have been on here if he fell away???
Good on ya Rory, brilliant.
Thataboy Rory
Well done Rory “I always felt more British than Irish” McElroy
@Alan Campbell: You are aware that they are not mutually exclusive. Just because some Irishmen can also be British, doesn’t make them less Irish they are still just as Irish as anyone else.
@Kingshu: for a start Northern Ireland is not in Britain
@Alan Campbell: Well done Alan ‘I’m talking rubbish’ Campbell.
@Mike Kennedy: you can’t talk, I’ve read some of the s@*# you write
@Alan Campbell: I never said it was, did I? Does that mean NI citizens apply for a untied kingdom passport or a British one? Are you arguing people born in NI cannot identify as British, because NI is part of UK not Britain? Better check the GFA and what British nationality covers? Today would be a good day to educate yourself, so you can stop looking like a numpty.
@Alan Campbell: Who is this “McElroy”? At least get his name right if you are going to talk bigoted claptrap.
@Alan Campbell:
He never played for Britain, did for Ireland…
He also helped the Irish Open when they were in need of help… For such young man to help like that shows he sense duty to his homeland…
@Alan Campbell: at least you didn’t deny that you’re spouting rubbish.
@Alan Campbell: you didn’t deny you were talking rubbish all the same Alan, lol
Fantastic stuff. Went b*lls out with his statement earlier in the week and backs it up with the win!
Back to golf, minus 25 is a silly score. For top flight professionals one would expect a sterner challenge. But good on you Rory..
@John Joseph Barry: they tore it apart. Morikawa was on for a crazy round after going -7 on the front only the putts dried up. Don’t think limiting driver length is going to slow them down though.
@Niall Buckley: let them use 4×2′s?
Great to see