World Cup: France qualify for the round of 16 as Thuram comes on as a substitute

The French national team have become the first team to book their place in the knockout stage after beating Denmark 2-1 in their second game, with Marcus Thuram playing for the side.

After Marcus Thuram (Photo: imago images / PanoramiC) made his World Cup debut in his nation’s opener against Australia (4-1), playing nine minutes, the Gladbach forward also played in the second group game on Saturday evening as he came on the 63rd minute for Olivier Giroud.

In a back and forth game which France largely controlled, Kylian Mbappé struck first to put the holders in front shortly before the substitution. However, the Danes weren’t to roll over quickly, hitting back just five minutes later through former Borussia man Andreas Christensen.

In the last quarter of an hour, Les Bleus raised the intensity once more and imposed serious threat going forward, with Thuram involved in several moves. They got their reward in the 86th minute, as a cross from Antoine Griezmann went over Thuram in the middle, but finding Mbappé at the back post who was able to poke the ball home and make it 2-1.

The Équipe Tricolore are in a perfect position heading into the final group game on Wednesday at 16:00 CET against Tunisia, sitting top of Group D with six points, looking likely to finish there – ahead of Australia and Denmark with three each, and Tunisia on one.

Borussia's statement on the World Cup

Itakura and Hofmann in action on Sunday

Tomorrow, on Sunday, two more Gladbach players will be in World Cup action. Ko Itakura will play against Costa Rica with the Japanese national team at 11:00 CET, followed by Jonas Hofmann and the German national team take on Spain at 20:00 In the opening match, Japan with Itakura in the starting eleven, beat Germany 2-1. Hofmann was substituted on the 67th minute of that fixture.