Denmark vs Tunisia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Eriksen frustrated in return
Denmark 0-0 Tunisia: The spirited Tunisians stopped Christian Eriksen getting a win in his first World Cup game since his cardiac arrest
Denmark hit the woodwork in the second half as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tunisia in their Group D World Cup opener that smouldered and sparked, but never quite caught fire at the Education City Stadium.
Against a backdrop of raucous noise provided by the thousands of Tunisian fans in the stands, Issam Jebali had a goal ruled out for offside in the 23rd minute but it was Denmark who provided most of the attacking football in the first half.
The Danes upped the tempo in the second, with Christian Eriksen - playing his first World Cup match since recovering from a cardiac arrest suffered at Euro 2020 - firing a rasping left-foot shot that was saved by goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in the 69th minute, and Andreas Cornelius hitting the post with a close-range header from the resulting corner.
Tunisia defended resolutely and threatened on the counter as the Danes struggled to break them down and, in the end, their fans were delighted with a point that sets them up for their next game against Australia, while Denmark face France.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
France 0-0 Australia
2 mins: Early glimpses of Dembele and Mbappe’s talent.
Dembele sears past his man on France’s right flank, then clips a deep cross to Mbappe, who twists one way then shimmies the other to get into the Australia box.
France win a corner, which Mbappe takes, but it’s headed clear.
France 0-0 Australia
Kick-off: We’re under way!
France’s world title defence begins here!
France vs Australia
No Benzema, no Pogba, no Kante – all are injured.
Let’s see how a still-formidable France fare in their absence.
France vs Australia
Australia’s anthem plays; kick-off is just moments away!
Don’t go anywhere.
France vs Australia
T-minus 15 minutes until kick-off!
A reminder of the starting XIs:
France: Lloris, Pavard, Upamecano, Konate, L Hernandez, Rabiot, Tchouameni, Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.
Australia: Ryan, Atkinson, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Mooy, Goodwin, McGree, Irvine, Leckie, Duke.
France vs Australia
“Take Karim Benzema out of the Real Madrid side last season and it is entirely uncontroversial to suggest they would not have won La Liga or the Champions League; not without his 44 goals in 46 games. Remove him from the France team and there is a case to say their chances of winning the World Cup are greater.
“It is an argument based on history rather than individual quality, admittedly: French history, in particular. The peculiarity of their two triumphant campaigns is that neither contained a goal from the main No 9. Benzema scored three goals in 2014 and France exited in the quarter-finals. Stephane Guivarc’h failed to score in 1998 – indeed he ended his international career with a lone goal – and France won the World Cup. Olivier Giroud did not even muster a shot on target in 2018, yet he was the selfless foil as Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe scored four times apiece. Glory went to France.”
Here’s another great piece from Richard Jolly: He makes the case for France’s chances of lifting the trophy being better without the injured Benzema...
Could Karim Benzema’s absence improve France’s World Cup chances?
Neither of Les Bleus’ two World Cup triumphs contained a goal from their main striker at the time
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments