There was only one big story circling before France’s game with Denmark. Would Olivier Giroud become his country’s all-time leading goalscorer?
But fellow frontman Kylian Mbappe had other ideas.
The man described as a “superstar” stole the show with both goals as defending champions France won 2-1 to become the first team team into the World Cup knockout stage.
“Kylian, what can I say?” said France boss Didier Deschamps. “An exceptional player. He has the ability to be decisive, stand up from the crowd and make the difference.
“Opponents have to rethink their structure and formation. Kylian is supported by other players who are as dangerous as him, but free him up to play his game.
“He had the objective of playing at the World Cup and France needs Kylian.”
‘He’s got it all, a very special talent’
Brilliant and pure box office, Paris St-Germain forward Mbappe again proved why he is tipped to be the game’s best player.
His number 10 shirts were everywhere you looked outside and inside Stadium 974, while his name got the loudest cheer when the line-up was read out before kick-off.
Lightning quick, skilful and coolness personified in front of goal, supporters and journalists are left drooling every time Mbappe gets the ball at his feet.
He gave Denmark a warning of his pace in the first half when, out of shot, he suddenly darted in behind looking to latch on to Antoine Griezmann’s through ball.
As he looked to break clear, he was hauled down by Andreas Christensen, who only got a yellow card as two Denmark team-mates were in a supporting position. It was doubtful, though, that either would have got near Mbappe as he burst away.
He did get his reward just after the hour mark, playing a delightful one-two with Theo Hernandez to convert, before bundling in the winner on 86 minutes from Griezmann’s cross.
“What a player, what a superstar,” former England striker Alan Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He made the difference tonight.
“When you’ve got that guy in your team – in the form that he’s in, he looks so comfortable and confident in front of goal – you’ve got a chance. He won the game for them.
“Whatever you have to have as a forward, Kylian Mbappe’s got it all. The timing of his runs, the understanding of when and how to go. He’s a very special talent.
“If he keeps on performing and he’s in that mood, France have got a chance.
“He looks like a kid in the playground; he just looks like he’s enjoying it. As soon as he gets the ball, you can hear the roar and he’s feeding off that, there’s no doubt about that. He loves that – and rightly so.”
