Denmark joins France in knockout round
MOSCOW » A game no team needed to win became the game no fan would want to watch.
France and Denmark produced the World Cup’s first 0-0 draw at the 37th attempt amid boos and whistles from fans on Tuesday.
The slow-paced game was out of step with a vibrant tournament. But it advanced both teams to the round of 16 unbeaten, with the bonus of no players suspended and no serious injuries. France will now play Argentina, and Denmark faces Croatia.
“We did what we needed,” Denmark coach Age Hareide said, praising his team for a disciplined display. “We would have been stupid to open a lot of space for the French team.”
France was already sure to advance with two opening victories, and this result spread the happiness to Denmark and its thousands of fans who stayed to dance and cheer in an empty stadium.
Less happy were the neutral fans in the crowd. Many Russians cheered the host team’s name and whistled misplaced passes and slow play as the game progressed with Denmark protecting its one point for a draw.
It was the longest a World Cup had gone without a goalless draw since 1954, a tournament of 26 games which all delivered at least one goal.
“We didn’t have to take risks to get better because this result was good for everyone,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
Deschamps rested six starters to put out a team that barely tested Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel until substitute Nabil Fekir tried two longrange shots. PERU 2, AUSTRALIA 0 » Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1982, Peru isn’t leaving Russia empty handed.
The Peruvians failed to score a goal in their opening two matches, but the team finally gave its fans a reason to celebrate when it ended Australia’s hopes of advancing to the knockout round.
The Australians had to beat Peru and hope Denmark lost to France in the other Group C match, but neither result occurred. France and Denmark drew 0-0 in Moscow.
Andre Carrillo’s 18thminute goal — a half-volley from inside the area — was Peru’s first in a World Cup since its last appearance 36 years ago. Peru hadn’t won a World Cup match since defeating Iran in 1978.