Find all the highlights of the World Cup this Friday, D-1 from France-Denmark.
The blow of the day: Neymar forfeits against Switzerland
The news fell this Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the match against Serbia: Neymar will be forfeited against Switzerland. Hit in the right ankle at the end of the match, the Brazilian playmaker came out of the lawn in tears. Before joining, a little later, the locker room limping.
It is about a “lateral ligament injury on Neymar’s right ankleconfided the doctor of the selection. The PSG striker forfeits the match against Switzerland (Monday, 5 p.m.). Later in the evening, “Ney” was reassuring on social networks. His tournament is not over.
The good operation of the day: Iran thrashes Wales
A “surprise” to start the day. Presumed little thumb of group B, Iran, 20th nation in the world, beat Wales, which points to … 19th place in the FIFA rankings.
A victory that took shape in the very last moments of the match thanks to achievements Roozbeh Cheshmi (90th + 8) and Ramin Rezaeian (90th + 11). Thanks to this success, “Team Melli” is in second place in Group B with three points.
Read alsoWales-Iran: the Iranians create the sensation
The sensation of the day: Qatar already out
Two games, two losses in a row for Qatar. A first in the history of the World Cup for the host country. Beaten from the outset by Ecuador (0-2), the organizer came up against Senegal on Friday (1-3).
With zero points in two games, Qatar logically occupies the last place in pool A. A group dominated by the Netherlands and Ecuador, both in the lead with four points, after their 1-1 draw.
The hard blow of the day: Enner Valencia released on a stretcher
Ecuador will play its qualification against Senegal (Tuesday 4 p.m.). And the players of “La Tri” could play this last match of the group stages without their captain and handyman. Scorer three times, Enner Valencia is the only Ecuadorian to have found the opposing nets during this World Cup.
The Fenerbahçe striker, touched down in the 78th minute during the inaugural match against Qatar, was replaced at the very end of the match against the Netherlands. Enner Valencia stretchered out and appeared to be hit in the knee. He might not play again.
Blues news of the day: three changes to come against Denmark
Against Denmark (Saturday, 5 p.m.), Didier Deschamps should make three changes. All in defense. The first is logical. Theo Hernandez will once again replace Lucas Hernandez. Injured from the start against Australia, the Bayern Munich defender is out of the competition.
In the axis, Raphaël Varane should resume his place as holder and thus push Ibrahima Konaté on the bench. The Manchester United player will be associated with Dayot Upamecano. On the right side, Jules Koundé should take the place of Benjamin Pavard. A time discussed, Ousmane Dembélé should again be established.
Read alsoVarane OK, confidence in Dembélé, Pavard replaced… Deschamps’ choices for France-Denmark
The sentence of the day: “We have no plan against Mbappé but…”
On the eve of the match against the France team, Kasper Hjulmand, the Denmark coach was asked about the Kylian Mbappé case. A question that made him “smile”, according to our special correspondents.
« We don’t have a plan against Mbappé… In fact, we have one, but I keep it to myself, he jokes, aware of the danger posed by the Blues striker. It is impossible to prepare enough (against such an element), but we have plenty of ideas to reduce its influence.»
Read alsoDenmark “is not afraid” of Mbappé and has “plenty of ideas” to stop him
The good news of the day: Lucas Hernandez operated successfully
Released injured after ten minutes of play against Australia, Lucas Hernandez returned to Germany for treatment. The Bayern Munich club issued a reassuring press release on the health of the French player overnight from Thursday to Friday.
«After his rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee, Lucas Hernandez was successfully operated on Thursday evening in Innsbruck, by Professor Christian Fink“, Bayern explained in a press release. “The Bayern defender will begin his rehabilitation in the coming days in Munichadded the Bavarian club.
Read alsoThe decryption of Bossis after France-Australia: “Rabiot and Hernandez seduced me a lot”
The flop of the day: the English miss their match (and qualifying ‘)
After their crushing victory against Iran (6-2) in the first match, England had struck a blow. Only, the “Three Lions” turned into harmless kittens against the United States.
A 0-0 draw between the two English-speaking countries at the end of a closed and boring meeting: four shots on target in total. The English miss the mark since they could qualify directly in the event of victory. We will have to wait for the match against Wales on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Read alsoEngland-United States: Musah reigns, Sterling disappears