France finish top of Group C
Denmark qualify as runner-up
Peru clinch their first win of the campaign
Australia finish bottom without a win
Denmark qualify as runner-up
Peru clinch their first win of the campaign
Australia finish bottom without a win
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group A..."
MORE: "Here's how it's going on in Group B..."
Group C
France who needed just a point to clinch top spot in Group C got a goalless draw against Denmark to complete their Group Stage fixtures. They now face Argentina in the Round of 16, a fixture that is fitting to be a clash for the final.
Denmark who also needed a point to confirm qualification did just that as they secured a brilliant draw against France. They now face the competition's underdogs Croatia on Sunday, who finished top of Group D with a 100% win record.
Peru who's fate had been confirmed after two narrow defeats, got their first points of the campaign claiming victory against Australia who finished bottom without a win.
Matchday 3Denmark who also needed a point to confirm qualification did just that as they secured a brilliant draw against France. They now face the competition's underdogs Croatia on Sunday, who finished top of Group D with a 100% win record.
Peru who's fate had been confirmed after two narrow defeats, got their first points of the campaign claiming victory against Australia who finished bottom without a win.
Denmark Vs France
France and Denmark who need a point to finish top of Group C and qualify for the last-16 respectively played out the first goalless draw of the competition sealing their fate.
France rested most of their players and started with a side who failed to score against Denmark who knew that a point would be enough, irrespective of results elsewhere.
Their next test awaits in the Round of 16 as the two face important fixtures against Argentina and Croatia and hope to show their attacking prowesses along with sound defending.
Matchday 2
France Vs Peru
Mbappe 34'
Match Highlights
France clinched a spot in the last-16 of the FIFA World Cup with a narrow victory over Peru who were eliminated after putting in a resilient performance.
It was Kylian Mbappe, this tournament's youngest player who broke the deadlock in the 34th-minute taping-in Olivier Giroud's deflected shot.
But, with a passionate fan support, Peru started taking upper hand of the game and got their chances in the second half through Jefferson Farfan, Andre Carrillo and the best one coming through Pedro Aquino who's shot hit the crossbar.
Despite all their efforts, Peru couldn't find that elusive equalizer that could've kept them in the competition. As for France, despite their qualification, their narrow wins don't yet justify them as title favorites.
Eriksen 7'
Jedinak 38' (P)
Christian Eriksen's fine strike in the opening minutes was canceled out by Mile Jedinak's spot kick through another VAR decision, as Denmark and Australia shared the points.
The Tottenham playmaker was on-hand to give his side the early lead after superbly volleying home Nicolai Jorgensen's lay-off.
Christian Eriksen goal
Australia fought back just before the half-time after the ball struck Poulsen inadvertently on the arm and the VAR call for handing the penalty was tucked home by Jedinak; his and Australia's second goal of the tournament.
Denmark isn't yet guaranteed a place into the last-16 with a showdown game against France coming up in the next round. A win will guarantee them qualification irrespective of elsewhere results.
Australia faces Peru as a must-win game in Matchday 3. An Australian victory with a relatively larger goal difference along with a Denmark defeat will confirm a qualification place for the "Socceroos."
France Vs Australia
Griezmann 58' (P)
Behich 80' (OG)
Jedinak 62' (P)
Match Highlights
France began their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign edging Australia 2-1 as the first World Cup goal was scored in history with the help of VAR.
Without any goals in the first half, that decision was made in the 58th minute after Australian Josh Risdon brought down Antoine Griezmann and the Atletico Madrid striker went on to score the resulting penalty.
Australia responded in next to no time as Aaron Mooy's free-kick was handled by Samuel Umtiti and Mile Jedinak scored the penalty to bring his side on level terms.
But, France kept pushing men forward with Paul Pogba at the heart of the attack saw his eventual shot deflected off full-back Behich, striking the crossbar and just edging ahead of the goal line to score the winner.
This game had the very first VAR goal allowed, the use of goal-line technology and despite having 3 goals in the game, none of the players managed to score for the own teams from open play.
Another victory for France in their next game against Peru can all but guarantee them a place into the knockout stages. Australia was disheartened in the manner that they lost and another loss against Denmark can confirm their elimination from the World Cup.
Peru Vs Denmark
Poulsen 59'
Denmark moved level on 3 points with France in Group C after earning a hard-fought victory against Peru who had missed a penalty earlier.
The South American side was given the spot-kick after consultation with the video assistant referee, only for Christian Cueva who was brought down, saw his shot fired over the crossbar.
This proved to be a costly miss after Denmark unleashed a counter-attack through their talisman Christian Eriksen who released Yussuf Poulsen; the player who had given away the penalty as he went on to fire home the winner.
This means that Denmark can now qualify for the knockout stages with a victory over Australia in the next round. But, Peru has to win their next game against France or else they will be eliminated.
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