France and Denmark played out the first 0-0 draw of the World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium. But both teams progressed with Didier Deschamps’ side winning Group C.
France topped the group with 7 points under their belt.
Denmark face the group winners of group D while France will next face the Group D runners-up. Denmark created the first opening after three minutes when Andreas Cornelius headed on for Martin. An appeal for a penalty was denied by referee Sandro Ricci.
Four minutes later, the Danes threatened again as Christian Eriksen crossed. But Simon Kjaer headed wide under pressure. Antoine Griezmann ballooned a cross too high as France came forward. With a quarter of an hour gone France wanted a penalty when Lucas Hernandez tumbled under Dalsgaard’s challenge.
Both sides were struggling to create clear openings. France began to enjoy the majority of the possession. Dembele blasted off target and then Griezmann shot straight at Kasper Schmeichel from the edge of the box. With two minutes of the half left, France should have broken through. But Giroud fired over after Griezmann’s control and layoff had created the opening inside the box.
The France keeper was again in the limelight when he fumbled Eriksen’s shot from distance. But he recovered to grab the ball before Cornelius could get there. Eriksen then sent another effort wide before Denmark brought on Viktor Fischer for Sisto.
France took off Griezmann and introduced Nabil Fekir. He almost made an instant impact when he turned and fired in a shot that brushed the side-netting on its way wide.
Cornelius was replaced by Kasper Dolberg before, with the final 10 minutes approaching. France took off Dembele and brought on Kylian Mbappe.
Denmark’s Thomas Delaney hobbled off after a strong challenge and was replaced by Lukas Lerager The game ended with boos from the neutral spectators in Moscow.
FT: Denmark 0-0 France