In a stunning reverse by the footballing superpower who have reached either the final or semi-finals of every World Cup since 2002, the Germans stumbled to a 2-0 loss to South Korea that left them rooted to the bottom of Group F.

Germany went into the game knowing that a win by two clear goals would have seen them into the last 16. But instead it was Sweden and Mexico who advanced after the Swedes romped to a 3-0 win over the Mexicans in Yekaterinburg.

“The disappointment of us being eliminated is just huge,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew, who is now under pressure to quit despite signing a contract extension until 2022 last month.

“It’s too soon for me to answer, it will take a few hours to see things clearly, the disappointment is very deep in me,” the 58-year said when asked if he would resign.

“It is a really, really bitter evening for us,” defender Mats Hummels added. “The situation is very difficult to put into words.”

“We had plenty of opportunities, we broke our necks trying out there today,” he added.

Germany qualified for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins, but Hummels said the team had not played well since they wrapped up qualification late last year.

Hummels said the warning signs had been there after Germany lost their opening game 1-0 to Mexico.

“We put ourselves in this situation after the Mexican game,” he admitted. “The last game we delivered a good performance was in the autumn of 2017.”

Sweden coach Janne Andersson spoke of his immense pride after his side topped the group with second-half goals against Mexico from Ludwig Augustinsson, Andreas Granqvist and an own goal from Edson Alvarez to move into a last-16 meeting with Switzerland.

“We’ve done a fantastic job today with this match,” Andersson said.

“I’m so incredibly proud, almost moved as the thought of how we performed on the pitch, so disciplined. I think we’ve grown since our last match.”

Andersson said he refused to take any pleasure in the demise of the Germans whom he had accused of distasteful celebrations when they beat Sweden.

“I am not like that, it is not like that in sport. I was very angry, but that was then and this is now.”

– Brazil ease through –

Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 to top Group E and cruise through to a last-16 meeting with Mexico.

Philippe Coutinho’s sublime pass was converted by Paulinho in the 35th minute and Thiago Silva powered in a second-half header at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow.

The Brazilians had to soak up spells of intense pressure from Serbia but finish unbeaten in the group stage.

After failing to fire in their opening match in Russia, a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, Brazil appear to be finding their normal fluency with each match as they go in search of a sixth World Cup. The Mexicans will need to regroup fast before facing them in Samara on Monday.

With Germany out, Brazil coach Tite was confident his team could cope with being the new favourites.

“We can take the pressure, we are a balanced team and for us, this is about getting stronger and growing,” the Brazil boss said.

Mladen Krstajic’s talented Serbia team will always wonder what might have been. They will inevitably point to the disallowed penalty in the highly-charged 2-1 defeat to Switzerland when Aleksandar Mitrovic was wrestled to the ground as the point when their World Cup went awry.

Switzerland joined Brazil in the second round as runners-up after they drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in Nizhny Novogrod.

The Swiss will face the Swedes in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday but must do so without captain Stephan Lichtsteiner who will be suspended after picking up a yellow card.

A 93rd minute own goal by the unfortunate Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz penalty gave the central American side a deserved 2-2 draw on a night of late drama.

Switzerland’s earlier lead lasted just two minutes after substitute Josep Drmic slotted home to seemingly give them three points.

Earlier Blerim Dzemaili had thumped home to give Switzerland the lead against the run of play against the team which finished bottom of Group E.

That goal was cancelled out by Kendall Waston’s header in the 56th minute, the central Americans’ first goal of the tournament.

Leaving aside Uruguay — who won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 before not travelling to Italy for the 1934 edition — it is the sixth time in the history of the competition that the reigning champions have failed to make it past the first hurdle.

AFP Sport looks back at the previous sides to fall victim to the champions curse:

– Italy 1950 –

Italy had won back-to-back World Cups before the Second World War got in the way, and much had changed by the time the 1950 tournament came around in Brazil.

Their team also opted to travel across the Atlantic by boat after several Italian internationals were killed in the Superga air disaster of May 1949 that decimated the great Torino side of the time.

Out of shape after the long journey by sea, the Italians played just two matches, losing 3-2 to Sweden before beating Paraguay 2-0. Sweden topped the group, and Italy went home.

– Brazil 1966 –

Pele’s great Brazil side rocked up in England having won the previous two World Cups. They would win the 1970 trophy too, but 1966 was a disaster.

Pele and Garrincha scored to secure a 2-0 win over Bulgaria at Everton’s Goodison Park home in their opening game. However, Bulgaria’s rough treatment of Pele forced him to miss their next match, a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Hungary.

‘O Rei’ returned for their decisive last group outing against Eusebio’s Portugal, but was the victim of another meaty tackle and was forced to limp his way through the remainder of the match as Brazil lost 3-1 again to go out.

– France 2002 –

France came to the World Cup in Japan and South Korea with a wonderful side that had won the trophy on home soil in 1998 and then won the European Championship in 2000.

However, nothing went right for Les Bleus as they went home with their tails between their legs having failed to score a goal never mind win a game.

Zinedine Zidane was missing due to injury as France were stunned 1-0 by Senegal in their first game, and they followed that with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay, as Thierry Henry was sent off.

Zidane was back in time for their last group outing, but could not prevent a 2-0 loss at the hands of Denmark that had them heading home after the worst trophy defence in tournament history.

– Italy 2010 –

After the miracle of 2006, when the Azzurri won the trophy in Germany despite the chaos being caused in their domestic game by the Calciopoli scandal, 2010 in South Africa was a spectacular disaster for the Italians.

The presence of veterans like Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro and that of Marcello Lippi on the bench could not prevent Italy from being humbled in the group stage as they failed to win any of their matches.

After having to come from behind to draw with Paraguay and New Zealand, Italy’s fate was sealed as they suffered a humiliating 3-2 loss at the hands of Slovakia, who advanced at their expense.

– Spain 2014 –

The curse of the champions struck again four years ago in Brazil, as Spain’s all-conquering side were stopped in their tracks.

Vicente del Bosque’s team arrived in South America having won three consecutive major tournaments between 2008 and 2012, but this proved a step too far for a side lacking the hunger of old.

They knew they were going home after just two matches of a disastrous trophy defence, as a 5-1 humbling at the hands of the Netherlands was followed by a 2-0 defeat against Chile at the Maracana.

It was the end of an era for the likes of Iker Casillas, Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso. A 3-0 win over Australia in their last game was scant consolation.

Pavit, who secured a record sixth Asian Development Tour victory in Nakhon Pathom last month, hopes to ride his good form at the prestigious event, being held for the first time on a course he knows well.

“I am feeling very confident with my game right now, especially after winning on the ADT last month. It’s in good shape. Coming back to play on home soil is always good. With the prestige of the Queen’s Cup, it will be very special for me if I can win the tournament,” said Pavit.

“I won on this golf course back in 2014. I went to practise the Ocean course yesterday but I couldn’t recall anything,” laughed Pavit. “It’s been four long years,” said the one-time Asian Tour winner – in Macau two years ago.

Fung hopes to become the first Malaysian to successfully defend his title on the Asian Tour at the US$300,000 event, which is celebrating its 10th straight edition.

The 28-year-old will spearhead a talented 150-man field that also features Thais Panuphol Pittayarat and Jazz Janewattananond and American Sihwan Kim, who is looking to boost his ranking with a good showing in his second appearance at the Queen’s Cup.

The Queen’s Cup, held in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, has a new sponsor in Bangchak Corporation

Maradona had been visibly emotional during the match in Saint Petersburg, which Argentina had to win to stay in the tournament.

He leaned over the front of the VIP box from where he was watching with friends and made an obscene gesture after Marcos Rojo scored a late winner.

“I want to tell everyone that I am fine, that I am not and was not hospitalised,” the 57-year-old wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.

A video emerged showing the 1986 World Cup winner looking dazed.

He walked with difficulty and was guided into the dining room of the VIP section by two friends before sitting down in a chair.

“At half-time against Nigeria, my neck hurt a lot and I suffered a drop in my blood pressure,” he said.

“I was checked by a doctor and he recommended that I go home before the second half, but I wanted to stay because we were risking it all,” he wrote.

“How could I leave?”

A medical source told Russia’s RIA Novosti state news agency that paramedics checked Maradona’s blood pressure but that the star refused all other assistance.//AFP

While most eyes were on Argentina and their do-or-die match with Nigeria in Saint Petersburg, Croatia wrapped up top spot in the group thanks to a slick second-half volley by Milan Badelj and a late strike by Ivan Perisic, sandwiching a penalty equaliser from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

“We did everything we could, if you do that you can’t be disapointed, we can look each other in the eye and can carry our heads high,” said Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson afterwards.

“We never gave up… kept on going.”

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said Iceland showed “good character, discipline, and fight” but that even though his side were already through to the last 16, “only a win was satisfactory” for him.

With three wins out of three in Group D, “the focus now moves to the Denmark game, it will be a moment of truth”, he said.

Dalic rested most of the side that thumped Argentina 3-0, with only captain Luka Modric and winger Perisic keeping their places.

“We gave the squad a chance to play in the World Cup but from this moment on the group stage is over, we have done our job,” he said.

Needing a point to make certain of top spot, Croatia dominated early on, with Real Madrid pair Modric and Mateo Kovacic dictating the tempo without creating clear chances.

Midway through the opening period the Nordic side, who had beaten Croatia in qualifying for Russia, took control, threatening from set-pieces and interceptions.

On 25 minutes a trademark long throw from Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson was headed dangerously across the goalmouth by the industrious Hordur Magnusson.

Everton’s Sigurdsson tested goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic from a free-kick, while Birkir Bjarnason, who suffered a nosebleed early on, had shots blocked in quick succession.

Just before the break, a drive by Alfred Finnbogasson whistled past the post. Then on the stroke of half-time, Gunnarsson forced an acrobatic save from Kalinic.

– ‘Let’s go further’ –

Soon after the break the match turned when Fiorentina midfielder Badelj first clipped the bar with a long-range drive, then made no mistake soon after on 53 minutes.

The 29-year-old got his right foot over a deflected cross and fired a volley wide of Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson to give Croatia the lead.

“Now we can concentrate on preparations for the knockout stage,” said Badelj. “This is a big new win for Croatia. There is no special celebration, let’s go further, step by step through the tournament.”

Iceland had to claim their first ever World Cup victory to have a chance of advancing and, urged on by fans chanting their famous Viking thunderclap, almost equalised immediately.

First, a flick-on from another Gunnarsson long throw found Sverrir Ingason whose header was tipped over by Kalinic.

Moments later Ingason, who plays his club football for Rostov, went even closer but his header hit the crossbar.

On 73 minutes Bjarnason fluffed a close-range opportunity, but Iceland’s lifeline arrived a minute later when Dejan Lovren handled a cross by Sigurdsson in the penalty area.

Sigurdsson had ballooned a penalty over the bar against Nigeria, but this time dispatched his shot into the roof of the net with Kalinic diving the wrong way.

But as Iceland strained for the winner and a surprise berth in the last 16, it was Croatia who threatened more, free-kicks by Perisic and Rakitic worrying Halldorsson.

Then on 90 minutes, Perisic delivered the final blow.

Sent into space on the left of the area the Inter Milan winger blasted a shot that ended both the game and Iceland’s World Cup, putting Croatia through to a match against the Danes in Nizhny Novogrod on Sunday.

“We did not look the best on the pitch today, but it’s important to win on such occasions,” said Perisic. “Denmark are strong. We need to play much better if we want to reach the quarter-finals.”

Lionel Messi set the two-time winners on their way with his first goal in Russia but Victor Moses equalised from the penalty spot and as time ticked away the increasingly ragged South Americans appeared to be heading home.

But Rojo made a surprise appearance in the box to turn home a cross from Gabriel Mercado with a crisp side-footed volley in the 86th minute to send the Argentine fans in Saint Petersburg, including legendary 1986 World Cup winner Diego Maradona, into raptures.

A highly emotional Maradona rushed to the front of the VIP box where he was watching and gave a one-fingered salute with both hands and shouted an obscene insult.

Maradona later fell unwell and a video emerged of him being helped by two people in his entourage into a chair. Photographs showed the 57-year-old being tended to by parademics, although Argentinian daily Ola reported he later went to his hotel.

– Rojo’s VAR escape –

Argentina’s escape came after Rojo came close to having a penalty awarded against for handball minutes earlier until he was saved by a controversial VAR review.

“It is marvellous to have won it in this manner. It is a deserved joy,” Messi said in quotes on Argentina’s official Twitter account.

“We knew God was with us and wasn’t going to let us go out.

“I thank all the fans that are here, for all their sacrifice and to all those in Argentina that were always with us.”

Argentina were held by Iceland in their tournament opener and then humiliated 3-0 by Croatia, putting the 2014 finalists on the brink of a first-round exit.

Their struggles came after their pre-tournament preparations were wracked by controversy and poor form, coupled with a reliance on an ageing, unbalanced squad.

The Argentine federation was even forced to confirm that Jorge Sampaoli would continue for the final group game amid rumours of a rift between players and coach.

At the drama played out, 1,500 kilometres (950 miles) away in Rostov-on-Don Croatia snuffed out the challenge of Iceland, scoring late through Ivan Perisic to seal a 2-1 win and complete a perfect group stage.

Croatia will face Denmark in the first knockout round in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday but Nigeria and Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland will head home.

Croatia took the lead thanks to a slick second-half volley by Milan Badelj. Gylfi Sigurdsson equalised from the penalty spot before Perisic struck late.

Croatia were already through to the last 16 and coach Zlatko Dalic rested most of the side that thumped Argentina 3-0, with only captain Luka Modric and the winger Perisic keeping their places.

“Our goal is achieved,” said man-of-the-match Badelj. “We are top of the group and we are ready to compete in the second round of the World Cup.

“Now we can concentrate on preparations for the knockout stage. This is a big new win for Croatia. There is no special celebration, let’s go further, step by step through the tournament.”

– France top group –

Earlier, France and Denmark produced the first goalless match of the tournament in front of 78,000 spectators at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Didier Deschamps rested goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and midfielder Paul Pogba among six changes and his side struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark.

Deschamps immediately switched his focus towards what he called the “second competition” after the uninspiring contest.

“There’s a second competition that’s going to start, the last 16 is straight elimination,” said the coach, who must now prepare his players to face Messi and Argentina.

“There’s a mountain in front of us now. But we’re there and we’re full of ambition to get to the next stage.”

Australia will go back to the drawing board after they ended bottom of Group C with a solitary point following a 2-0 defeat to Peru, who are also heading home.

Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero, the veteran who was only cleared to play days before the tournament after having a ban for taking cocaine lifted, scored in Sochi.

Tim Cahill, the 38-year-old Australian midfielder, came on as a substitute for his first appearance in his fourth World Cup but was unable to influence the outcome and the Socceroos will have to look to the future with talents such as 19-year-old Iranian-born Daniel Arzani.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed from Group B in dramatic fashion on Monday, joining host nation Russia and Uruguay in the next round but technology grabbed centre stage.

Spain, who will play Russia in Moscow on Sunday, ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored but only after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed by the video assistant referee — ensured a 2-2 draw.

In Saransk, Ronaldo was at the heart of a series of VAR incidents. First he had a penalty saved by Ali Beiranvand and was later rescued by a review as Iran’s players called for him to be sent off following an incident with Morteza Pouraliganji.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said the Portugal captain, who will line up against Uruguay in the next round, should have been sent off for using an elbow in the 1-1 draw.

“I don’t want to talk too much, it’s about my country and a player. I know it’ll be a war against me,” said Queiroz, who coached his native Portugal at the 2010 finals in South Africa.

“But the reality is you stopped the game for VAR, there is an elbow,” he added. “An elbow is a red card in the rules. In the rules it doesn’t say if it is (Lionel) Messi or Ronaldo.”

Portugal will face two-time winners Uruguay in Sochi on Saturday.

Besides Spain, Portugal, Russia and Uruguay the other teams already assured last 16 status before their final round of group matches are France, Croatia, England and Belgium.

Argentina will look to join them in the next round but must rely on the outcome of the other match in Group D.

Held to a draw by tiny Iceland — with Messi missing a penalty — and humbled by Croatia, Jorge Sampaoli’s men could already be packing their bags.

The maths is simple: if Argentina beat Nigeria and Iceland fail to win against Group D leaders Croatia, they will go through to the last 16. If Iceland win, it will be time to get the calculators out.

– Argentina pressure –

Argentina’s struggles in Russia come after their pre-tournament preparations were wrecked by controversy and poor form, coupled with a reliance on a top-heavy, limited squad.

The Argentine federation was even moved to confirm that Sampaoli would continue for the final group game amid rumours of a rift between players and coach.

“We have to make our goal five games to reach the final. Tomorrow will be the first final,” said the defiant coach on the eve of the game in Saint Petersburg.

“No matter who plays tomorrow will have the obligation to give until the last bead of sweat so that Argentina will go through.”

Euro 2016 heroes Iceland can still dream of progress to the knockout rounds but they must beat Croatia and hope the other result goes their way.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, 1998 champions France take on Denmark in Moscow with top spot in Group C up for grabs.

Denmark require just a point to join France in the knockout stages, and could even pip Les Bleus to top spot with a victory.

“We are not going to give them a helping hand. Our goal is to guarantee first place and two results will allow that,” Deschamps said.

“I would never say to my team that we’re playing for a draw. I want my team to go out onto the pitch without any ambiguity and to do everything to win this match.”

Australia still have a slim chance of progressing if they beat Peru heavily and Denmark lose to France.

Russia were buoyed by huge support in their first two matches, sweeping aside Saudi Arabia and Egypt, but the wheels came off against Uruguay in a chastening 3-0 defeat, in which they were reduced to 10 men.

Disappointed Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov said it was better to lose heavily now than in future games but added: “Psychologically we are well prepared for the next games.”

Two-time winners Uruguay, with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani on the scoresheet, pipped Russia to top spot in Group A.

Holders Germany will be missing two backroom staff for Wednesday’s crunch clash with South Korea, the pair stood down for provoking Sweden’s bench in Saturday’s dramatic encounter in Sochi.

Iago Aspas’s injury time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against already eliminated Morocco had initially been ruled out by an errant offside flag before the video assistant referee intervened.

“Long live VAR! But like this we won’t win the World Cup,” declared the front page of Spanish sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

A last minute solution to patch up the errors of a miserable start is the story of Spain’s World Cup so far.

Coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked two days before their tournament opener against Portugal, with Fernando Hierro rushed into the role despite his lack of previous managerial experience.

Hierro has been unable to match the heights of La Roja’s brilliant qualifying campaign under Lopetegui, although he was praised for the impact of his substitutions against Morocco as Aspas and Rodrigo came off the bench to save the day.

By winning the group Spain face hosts Russia in Moscow on Sunday and find themselves on the more favourable side of the draw, as is reflected by their new status as tournament favourites by bookmakers.

However, a series of defensive lapses need to be eradicated if they are to go any further.

“We like to be clear and honest,” said captain Sergio Ramos, who was at fault for both Moroccan goals. “This is not the way forward.

“The group stages always allow you a margin for error, these errors from now on send you home.”

– ‘Transparent’ De Gea –

Ramos and Gerard Pique have at times endured a frosty off-field relationship due to their roles as figureheads for the Real Madrid-Barcelona rivalry.

On the field, though, they have rarely been questioned with multiple Champions League medals for their clubs and World Cup and European Championship winners for Spain.

Both have been error-strewn so far in Russia with Pique also lucky to escape an early red card against Morocco.

Behind them David de Gea looks a different goalkeeper to the one who has won Manchester United’s player of the year for four of the past five seasons.

De Gea let a simple Cristiano Ronaldo effort through his hands in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Portugal and has made just one save in three games.

“Goalkeepers have moments where they lose their confidence and become transparent because they don’t make any saves. That is what is happening right now to De Gea,” former Spanish international ‘keeper Santi Canizares told radio station Cadena SER.

De Gea’s understudy, Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga, has never even started a competitive international. But there are increasing calls for the 23-year-old to be thrown into the intimidating atmosphere of 80,000 home fans baying for an upset at the Luzhniki Stadium this weekend.

“From now the games of life and death begin and we can’t continue gifting goals away,” said Isco, Spain’s best performer in Russia to date.

Heroes of Spain’s three successive tournament wins between 2008 and 2012, Andres Iniesta and David Silva’s places in the team are also under threat from the more youthful Koke, Saul Niguez and Marco Asensio.

Hierro promised to make “as few changes as possible” when hired less than two weeks ago. Now he is under pressure to revolutionise his team to ensure Spain remain in Russia.

The Socceroos needed a win to stand any chance of reaching the last 16 for the first time since 2006, but they were undone by Carrillo’s 18th-minute strike and Guerrero’s goal early in the second half at the Fisht Stadium.

They go home without a win, joining Peru in being eliminated in Group C. However, for the South Americans there was only elation at ending their long wait for a victory in the competition.

Peru were already out before this game but they still had a huge travelling support, clad in the country’s distinctive white and red colours.

They made up the majority of the 44,073 crowd in sauna-like conditions by Russia’s Black Sea coast, and the stadium exploded when Carrillo scored their first goal at a World Cup since 1982.

It was their first win in nine games at the tournament since they defeated Iran 4-1 in Argentina in 1978, and they will now hope to build on their performances in Russia after finally coming in from the international wilderness.

Whatever Australia did would ultimately have been in vain as they needed Denmark to lose against France to maintain any chance of making it out of Group C — the Danes played out a 0-0 draw in Moscow that allowed them to advance behind the French.

For the Socceroos it is a third consecutive World Cup in which they have failed to make it beyond the group stage. Bert van Marwijk’s team took just one point, against the Danes, in between defeats at the hands of France and then Peru.

– Cahill finally appears –

The Dutchman did not bow to the pressure back home to give veteran forward Tim Cahill a start in the game, with Tomi Juric preferred to the 38-year-old up front in the absence of the injured Andrew Nabbout.

Cahill came on early in the second half but was unable to score the goal that would have seen him join an elite group of players — including Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo — to have found the net at four World Cups.

Australia were already two goals down, and heading for the exit, by the time Cahill was introduced.

Guerrero set up Watford winger Carrillo to volley in a fine goal from 16 yards, low into the far corner beyond the dive of Mathew Ryan, to become the first player to score for Peru at the World Cup since Guillermo La Rosa 36 years ago.

Australia played most of the football in the first half, however, with Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic pulling the strings at times. Rogic, the languid Celtic playmaker, came closest to scoring, but after dribbling into the area his effort was saved by Pedro Gallese.

Yet their hopes of turning the tide in the second half were dealt a hammer blow five minutes after the break as Peru increased their advantage, Christian Cueva setting up Guerrero to hook a shot beyond Ryan.

After only being cleared to play in this World Cup at the last minute following a long legal battle against a doping ban, the moment was particularly sweet for Peru’s veteran captain.

The final score was a painful one for Australia, but it was hard to begrudge the Peruvians this win, especially their army of supporters who have lit up the tournament and will be missed as they now depart.

Didier Deschamps’ side dominated possession but struggled to create any clear-cut chances against a determined Denmark, who will likely meet Croatia for a place in the quarter-finals.

France have scored just three times in three games in Russia, including a penalty and an own goal, and it was another disjointed display from one of the title favourites.

They will discover their opponents in the next round later on Tuesday, with Argentina needing to beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg to stand a chance of qualifying.

Deschamps rested captain Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, with the Manchester United midfielder a booking away from suspension, while Kylian Mbappe was also left out among six changes.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 33, made his first appearance at a major tournament, having been an unused substitute at the last three European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.

After much debate about the video assistant referee (VAR) following further controversy on Monday, it was inevitable any penalty area tussles would prompt strong appeals at the Luzhniki Stadium.

There have already been 20 penalties given at this World Cup, a tournament record before the group stage has even concluded.

Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite laid an early claim after going down under pressure from Presnel Kimpembe, although there appeared minimal contact at best.

France had a penalty shout of their own when Henrik Dalsgaard slid in on Lucas Hernandez, with Kasper Schmeichel tipping behind Olivier Giroud’s looping follow-up effort.

– Griezmann scythed down –

Committed play from Thomas Delaney saw him release Andreas Cornelius down the left flank but Christian Eriksen was unable to apply a finishing touch as Mandanda and Hernandez combined to clear.

Antoine Griezmann then shot tamely at Schmeichel from 20 yards, the Atletico Madrid forward’s biggest contribution coming just before the break when he sparked a threatening counter that drew a cynical foul from Mathias Jorgensen.

A bystander for long periods, Mandanda was nearly caught out by a speculative Eriksen free-kick as he spilled before pouncing on the rebound just ahead of Cornelius.

A miscued clearance from Djibril Sidibe soon presented Eriksen with another chance, the Tottenham star dragging wide of the target on this occasion.

Nabil Fekir was introduced for Griezmann for the final 20 minutes, and the Lyon forward looked lively right away as he hammered a shot just the wrong side of the post.

Mbappe was introduced late on for an ineffective Ousmane Dembele, but it was again Fekir who went closest to ending the impasse with a low, bouncing shot that forced Schmeichel into a sharp save.

Loud jeers from a sold-out crowd of 78,011 greeted the final whistle although it was a result that suited both sides as Denmark, now unbeaten in 18 matches, reached the latter stages of the World Cup for the first time since 2002.