Having taken all six points from their two games and knowing that no other team in their pool had won both their matches, France took their foot off the gas even before the match began.
And understandably so, why would Didier Deschamps risk his best players for this match and not rest them?
If looked at it from Hareide’s point of view, it was a bonus offered. Take nothing away from the men who started for France but probably, Mbappe’s pace coupled with his dynamism along with Pogba’s intelligence and vision would have caused a whole lot of problems for Denmark’s defence. Also to mention, Umtiti and the in-form Benjamin Pavard warmed the benches too.
Hence, the French mastermind’s right decision to rest his best players worked in Denmark’s favor.