Mbappe double ... as France reach last 16, Lewandowski off the mark

France ....................... 2 Denmark ................... 1

QATAR – France swept into the last 16 after a Kylian Mbappe double sealed a 2-1 victory over Denmark on Saturday as Robert Lewandowski scored the first World Cup goal of his career in Poland’s win over giant-killing Saudi Arabia.

Mbappe, one of the heroes of France’s march to the 2018 World Cup title, ensured Les Bleus would be the first team into the knockout rounds after popping up with an 86th-minute winner to break Danish hearts at Stadium 974 in Doha.

The win all but guarantees France will enter the last 16 as winners of Group D heading into their final game against Tunisia on Wednesday.

“For us, it’s ideal, we have six points so we’re sure to qualify after two matches,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.

“We’ll appreciate that before the next match in four days. It brings tranquility, assurance that we qualify.”

Mbappe had fired France into the lead on 61 minutes after Denmark’s defence finally buckled following wave-after-wave of French pressure.

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However, Andreas Christensen jolted France with a 68th minute equaliser before Mbappe’s late show sealed all three points.

Earlier Saturday, Poland star Lewandowski finally broke his World Cup scoring duck in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia at the Education City Stadium.

It was a World Cup reality check for the Saudis, who had stunned Argentina

2-1 in their opening game.

“The importance of the goal and how I scored it made all my dreams from childhood come true,” said Lewandowski, who had missed a penalty in Poland’s opening 0-0 draw with Mexico on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old was overcome with emotion having capitalised on a blunder by midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki.

“I think the older I get the more emotional I get,” Lewandowski said. “I’m aware it might be my last World Cup and I wanted to be able to say that I’ve played and scored at World Cups.

“The result is most important, but getting both is great.”

Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was the hero for Poland, however, producing a stunning double save in the first half.

(Pic: The Citizen) France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring two goals against Denmark.

(Pic: Daily Mail) Argentinian fans rolled up their football shirts and donned denim hot pants as they watched their team be defeated in their first World Cup match against Saudi Arabia yesterday. Argentina had come into the tournament among the favourites to claim the prestigious prize.

(Pic: SuperSport) The big and boisterous fan bases of Argentina and Mexico were out in force on Saturday as one of Latin American football’s biggest rivalries spiced up the World Cup ahead of their latest clash. Thousands of vociferous, flag-draped supporters of both sides have made the long journey to Qatar and have been a lively presence, organising street parties and teaching Spanish-language chants to Arab fans eager to join in.

(Pic: Daily Mail) Saudi Arabia players have paid tribute to their teammate Yasser Al-Shahrani by holding up his No 13 shirt before their clash with Poland - just days after he underwent emergency facial surgery. AlShahrani underwent the surgery following a sickening collision with his own goalkeeper earlier this week.