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Group C - France-Denmark, France wins, both teams advance |
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Smiles and cheers all around.
France beat Denmark 2-1 Wednesday, giving the host nation victory in Group C and an easier passage deeper into the World Cup, while the Scandinavians also advanced.
Despite the loss, Denmark went through as second qualifier as Saudi Arabia held South Africa to a 2-2 tie in the other group match.
"We're doing well and we're going to get better," said French coach Aime Jacquet after France clinched its third win in a row, this time with a slew of players more used to being substitutes as regular starters Laurent Blanc, Lilian Thuram, Bixente Lizarazu, Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane sat out for rest, injury or suspension.
"We lost, but we can move on," said a relieved Denmark coach Bo Johansson.
Denmark will play Nigeria in Saint-Denis on Sunday (ABC, 3 p.m. ET). France will play the Group D runner-up Sunday at Lens (ABC, 10:30 a.m.).
The crowd at the Stade de Gerland sang the Marseillaise and France's first fan, President Jacques Chirac, was all smiles. "I'll be there again at the final," he said.
Playmaker Youri Djorkaeff converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute after a smooth move from defender Vincent Candela found David Trezeguet, who was knocked down by Jes Hogh. Peter Schmeichel, in a Danish record 103rd international appearance, got a hand on the penalty kick, but could not push it out.
Denmark tied it on a counterattack in the 42nd minute when two French defensive errors also earned a penalty.
Patrick Vieira unnecessarily leaned into an opponent just outside the area and then Brian Laudrup caught the French asleep. The veteran sent Martin Jorgensen into the box and Candela cut his legs away in desperation.
Michael Laudrup, in his 102nd international, scored his 37th goal for Denmark. At 34, he will retire after the World Cup.
Emmanuel Petit put France ahead again in the 57th minute, shooting through a maze of legs to beat Schmeichel for the decisive goal.
"France was the better team," conceded Johansson.
In the last second, French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez had to make a good save off a free kick by Stig Tofting, earning several kisses on his bald head from his defenders. "Even with the substitutions, the confidence was still there and they kept us on the right road," said Jacquet. "I think we are doing well and we will get better. I am very happy and proud of the team as we can say we had three good matches and played with a lot of determination."
By the end of the game, Danish fans were cheering "Saudi, Saudi," knowing the Arab nation had done more than expected by containing South Africa.
France won Group C with a maximum nine points. Denmark had four points, South Africa two and Saudi Arabia finished last with one point.
"We played three good matches, so we deserve to be where we are now," said Jacquet.
Johansson said he and his staff had studied second-round opponent Nigeria.
"We had to struggle hard. We had good moments in atttack, but mostly we had to defend. We will have to change this against Nigeria," he said. "We know quite a lot about Nigeria, they're a team that suits us well. They are the favorites. We are the underdogs."
