A 2-0 victory over reigning champions France wasn’t enough to see Denmark book their spot in next summer’s Nations League finals.
For all their possession and such a bright start, France failed to break the deadlock and were punished as the hosts worked their way into the game, deservedly pulling ahead after half an hour and doubling their lead shortly after.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side put in a professional display to control the game after the break, dealing with the waves of French pressure and enjoying spells of possession themselves. Croatia being locked in a stalemate with Austria had Denmark top of the group and going through for most of the evening, but it wasn’t to be as they bounced back to keep a hold of top spot.
France started at an electric pace and their desperation for an early goal showed, with Kylian Mbappe getting in behind Denmark’s backline regularly. For all their intent, though, Kasper Schmeichel showed his class and kept things goalless.
Denmark looked a threat from set-pieces thanks to Eriksen’s deliveries and, after surviving France’s early, possession-based flurry, brought the game to Didier Deschamps’ side. Andreas Skov Olsen came close after 20 minutes, but his touch saw the ball get stuck under his feet in front of goal.
Crucially, the hosts made their pressure count, punishing France by taking the lead after 34 minutes. Eriksen’s diagonal ball released Mikkel Damsgaard out wide, who crossed low for Kasper Dolberg to poke in at the near post.
Proceedings quickly went from bad to worse for France as Denmark doubled their lead five minutes later. Eriksen’s corners caused France another problem in the box and Olsen fired a half-volley past Alphonse Areola, sending the hosts into half-time with a deserved lead and putting them top of Group 1 as things stood.
Changes at the interval brought France back in charge of possession, and the break did help them to ask more questions of Denmark’s defence. Olivier Giroud bought a free-kick in a dangerous area after 51 minutes, but Antoine Griezmann’s effort was saved smartly by Schmeichel.
Denmark looked stretched on occasion, but never looked too panicked and were still seeing more than enough of the ball as the game grew on. Schmeichel did bail them out after 67 minutes with a fine stop to deny Mbappe, following a sublime pass behind the defence from Griezmann.
France seemed to run out of steam in the game’s closing stages, though, with the substitutes failing to provide any hope of a comeback….
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