France were first at the last World Cup and they are first again. As they avoided the curse of the champions, becoming the first holders of the tournament to reach the knockout stages since Brazil in 2006, Didier Deschamps’ side became the first team to book their spot in the last 16. Italy, Spain and Germany had all mounted lamentable defences of their titles, but France advance with a game to spare.
They may yet become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Certainly they possess a talent with the ability to be a multiple champion, whatever 2022 holds, and Kylian Mbappe broke Denmark’s resistance. His right thigh is celebrated more for the speed he generates when sprinting, but he bundled in the winner off his leg. His second goal of the game was his 14th in 12 matches for France. The golden boy may yet get the Golden Boot and, when the final whistle blew, he had joined Enner Valencia of Ecuador on top of the leaderboard.
