France secured their place in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 26, 2026, with a 2-1 victory over Denmark in Group D. Ousmane Dembélé scored twice, including a stunning solo goal, to lead Les Bleus to the knockout stage.
The match, played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, saw Dembélé open the scoring in the 34th minute with a powerful strike from outside the box. Denmark equalized through Christian Eriksen in the 55th minute, but Dembélé restored France's lead in the 78th minute with a mazy run past three defenders before slotting home.
France now top Group D with six points from two matches, having also beaten Australia 4-1 in their opener. They will face Sweden in the round of 16, pending the final group stage results. Sweden advanced as one of the best third-placed teams.
Dembélé's performance has drawn praise from fans and pundits alike, with many calling it one of the best individual displays of the tournament so far. The 29-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger has now scored three goals in the competition.
