Denmark vs Tunisia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Eriksen frustrated in return

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The Independent

·22 November 2022

Denmark vs Tunisia LIVE: World Cup 2022 result, final score and reaction as Eriksen frustrated in return

World Cup: Daily update from day 2 in Qatar

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.

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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.

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France 4-1 Australia

“Didier Deschamps was off his feet, fists pumping in celebration. France did not need a fourth goal against Australia, but this was much more than a case of inflating a scoreline. It was a moment of French footballing history and, as player and manager, Deschamps has witnessed and created more than most.

“He was a teammate of Thierry Henry when he debuted, serving as his captain in the 1998 World Cup- and Euro 2000-winning sides. By the time he retired, Henry was establishing himself as one of the great forwards of his generation. Olivier Giroud does not have the same status but a man who has followed Henry into the Arsenal and France forward lines has equalled him in another respect.

“When Kylian Mbappe, who bears more similarities as a player with Henry, crossed and Giroud supplied the target man’s trademark header, it took him to 51 goals for France. He is level with Henry, behind no one; not Zinedine Zidane or Just Fontaine or Michel Platini or Mbappe. It is a stunning achievement.”

Richard Jolly reflects on Giroud’s historic achievement tonight:

Olivier Giroud’s double in the 4-1 win over Australia cemented his France legacy, one guided by the faith and nous of manager Didier Deschamps

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 21:27

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France 4-1 Australia

“Didier Deschamps revealed as much ahead of the World Cup: France would be leaving their back-three experiment behind.

“He was a little snappy in the pre-tournament press conference, reluctant to elaborate on why it had failed or indeed why it had lasted so long. Indeed, leaving the idea behind was not a straightforward decision.

“Something resembling 3-4-1-2 had been France’s predominant formation throughout 2022, which created the enticing possibility of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema paired up front, but it had brought mixed results: a couple of friendly wins over Ivory Coast and South Africa before a woeful Nations League campaign in which they won only one of their six group games against Croatia, Austria and Denmark.

“In contrast, a back four had brought the World Cup trophy home from Russia four years ago.”

Here’s Lawrence Ostlere with a tactical breakdown of France’s winning performance against Australia:

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 21:22

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France 4-1 Australia

“A striker who was supposed to be dispensable now has only one equal.

“That’s the story of Olivier Giroud, who just keeps going, and keeps scoring. The 36-year-old finally got the goal he didn’t in 2018 to claim his first in the World Cup in eight years before quickly following it with another. That made it 4-1 to France against Australia and was also the 51st goal of his international career, to match Thierry Henry’s record.

“Giroud may well surpass that in this tournament, a World Cup he wasn’t even expected to start in. This was precisely why Karim Benzema’s injury wasn’t seen as anything close to a disaster by the French, despite his immense quality.

“They’d already won a World Cup with Giroud and, far from the Real Madrid player taking them to another level, the belief is that the team just works better with the Milan striker. He links it all together. Kylian Mbappe certainly enjoys playing with him.

“As regards levels, the reality of this game was that a plucky but hugely limited Australia just couldn’t get close to France.”

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 21:14

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France 4-1 Australia

France with one of the finest performances of the group stage so far. England’s 6-2 win against Iran stands out, too, of course, while Argentina have already fallen to Saudi Arabia, and Netherlands left it late to see off Senegal.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 21:05

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France 4-1 Australia

Goodwin’s early goal for Australia was cancelled out by Rabiot, before France added three more through Mbappe and Giroud, the latter netting twice to join Henry as the nation’s record goalscorer.

Alex Pattle22 November 2022 21:03

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