France becomes first side to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 knockouts

Les Bleus are also the first defending champions in four editions of the tournament to advance to the last 16 stage.

After defeating Denmark 2-1, France became the first nation to qualify for the round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup 2022. They are also the first defending champions in four editions to make the knockouts stage. Interestingly, France are also the first European World Cup winners to advance to the round of 16 in the following tournament.

Each of the last four teams from Europe to win the World Cup have gone out from the following tournament group stage, including France themselves in 1998.

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace for the title holders to seal their place in the FIFA World Cup 2022 last 16 stage.

Denmark seemed to have found a way back in the match when Andreas Christensen headed the equaliser home. But a dearth of cutting-edge in the opposition box made life difficult, and France scored twice on the counter to seal the deal.

Both teams had their moments at the start, but France gradually progressed into the contest, looking more confident and presenting a threat in the opposing box. They came close to snapping the deadlock multiple times. But the Danes held firm and remained persistent with Barcelona Christensen and Tottenham Pierre-Emile Højbjerg keeping Mbappe and Olivier Giroud at bay.

Giroud had another attempt, but he botched it, and Adrian Rabiot was also on the verge of giving France the lead.

Dembele and Mbappe were throwing all sorts of challenges at Denmark, but they succeeded in avoiding them. After a goalless first half, Denmark looked more poised on the ball in the second half. But France displayed their clinical side when Mbappe lofted the ball to put the 2018 World Cup winners ahead. Seven minutes later, Christensen equalised with a header.

France's onslaught was once more on target and showed incredible drive going forward, with Mbappe trodding the ball into the net following a scramble in the Denmark box. France are now the only team to have qualified for the knockout stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

France will play Tunisia in the final group-stage encounter. Since they have already qualified for the knockout stage, they will most likely face the Group B runners-up. The reigning champions will attempt to retain their World Cup title once more.