France bank on Griezmann

“When you have a bit less in your legs, it’s harder to be at ease on the pitch, but he’s still very important for us.”

G r i e z ma n n h i ms e l f admitted there is room for improvement as France target a deep run at the World Cup.

“I’m going to get better and I’m sure the level everyone expects, including myself, is going to come quickly,” he told French TV channel TF1

Didier Deschamps’ side are already qualified and would clinch first place with a draw in Moscow, a result that would also send Denmark through as runners-up irrespective of Australia’s result against Peru.

Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso is keen to avoid Croatia in the last 16, even if finishing top could mean a blockbuster clash with Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

“Croatia will come out of Group D, so above all we have to avoid finishing second to avoid meeting them,” said Tolisso, who started the first game against Australia. “Between Nigeria, Iceland and Argentina, they are all good teams. “We know the Argentines have very strong individuals, notably Lionel Messi,” he added. “You never know what’s going to happen in a match. But we know the last 16 will be difficult, regardless of the opponent.” Second-placed Denmark beat Peru 10 in their first game before a 1-1 draw with Australia to extend their unbeaten run to 17 matches. Age Hareide’s side are looking to reach t he l atter stages at a World Cup for the first time since 2002. “France may be considered among the favourites and have six points but they have not been finishing off opponents,” Hareide t o l d Danish newspaper bold.dk. “They have been pushed to the wire to get the points.” “They played well in the friendlies, but have not played well so far in the World Cup,” he added. Yussuf Poulsen is s uspended a f t e r he c ol l e c t e d a s e c ond booking i n as many outings against Australia, the forward picking up a harsh yellow card following a VAR- a warded penalty. Denmark are hopeful midfielder William Kvist will return at some stage after breaking t wo ribs and suffering a punctured lung against Peru, although it won’t be in time to face France. – AFP . Veteran

midfielder Keisuke Honda, 32, became the first Japanese player to score in three different World Cups when he came off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw for Japan against Senegal at the Ekaterinburg Arena yesterday. Honda replaced Shinji Kagawa in the...