FIRST TO QUALIFY Mbappe brace sends France through to last 16

France swept into the last 16 after a Kylian Mbappe double sealed a 2-1 victory over Denmark yesterday 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 86thminute 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 tranquillity, 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. However Andreas Christensen jolted France with a 68th minute equaliser before Mbappe’s late show sealed all three points.