Denmark beat reigning champions France 2-0 in the Nations League even though they avoided relegation. Denmark who won the game missed out on next year’s finals despite their win. France finished one point above relegated Austria, who lost 3-1 to Croatia on Sunday.
Denmark had to win and hope that Croatia failed to beat Austria to reach next summer’s finals. But goals from Kasper Dolberg and Andreas Skov Olsen saw them beat Austria in Copenhagen. The World champions France, who beat Spain 2-1 in last year’s Nations League final, ended a four-game winless run and moved off the bottom of the group by beating Austria on Thursday.
Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe forced Kasper Schmeichel into action following a corner as France applied early pressure at Parken Stadium. Also, Manchester United summer signing Christian Eriksen was instrumental as Denmark began to offer more of a threat, but Skov Olsen was flagged offside following a sublime ball over the top by the Manchester United midfielder.
Eriksen found Mikkel Damsgaard on the right to set up Dolberg’s breakthrough, the striker sliding in to meet the Brentford winger’s low cross. Schmeichel was in fine form to deny Mbappe three times in as many minutes as Kasper Hjulmand’s side earned the win they required on the night, but it was not enough as Croatia scored two second-half goals to finish top by one point.