Denmark advances with drab draw against France at World Cup

DENMARK 0 FRANCE 0 — At Moscow, a game neither France nor Denmark needed to win produced the World Cup’s first scoreless draw amid boos and whistles from fans on Tuesday.

A slow-paced game out of step with a vibrant tournament ensured already-qualified France won Group C and Denmark advanced as runner-up.

A draw ensured that outcome, though Peru’s victory over Australia playing at the same time meant the Danes would have advanced to the round of 16 even had they lost to France.

A French team with six starters resting barely tested Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel until substitute Nabil Fekir tried two long-range shots.

Much of the 78,011 crowd in Luzhniki Stadium whistled misplaced passes and slow play as the game progressed and Denmark protected its point, likely aware Australia had no chance of winning.

PERU 2 AUSTRALIA 0 — At Sochi, already-eliminated Peru ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round.

Andre Carrillo’s first-half goal — a half-volley from inside the area — was Peru’s first in a World Cup since 1982, the last time the South Americans played in the tournament. Peru hadn’t won a World Cup match since defeating Iran in 1978.

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero, who almost missed the tournament because of a doping suspension, scored the second goal early in the second half to give his team an honourable finish after two opening losses.

Tim Cahill, a 38-year-old striker who entered the match in the second half, couldn’t give Australia a boost as it tried to reach the round of 16 for the first time since 2006.

Australia’s best chance to score came in the 27th minute when Tom Rogic made a run through the Peru defence and had his shot saved by goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Denmark players celebrate after their 0-0 draw against France yesterday.