France, Denmark unite in boredom

It might not deserve a place alongside West Germany and Austria's infamous "non-aggression pact" at the 1982 World Cup but the 0-0 draw that steered France and Denmark into the second round certainly had the similar scent of collaboration.

That game ended amid farcical scenes 36 years ago, when Germany and Austria cooked up the 1-0 result that sent both through at the expense of Algeria, prompting the change in World Cup rules that resulted in the last two games of each qualifying group being played simultaneously.

On Tuesday France had already secured progress while the Danes knew a point would be enough in Moscow – even if Australia pulled off a surprise win over Peru 1600km away in Sochi.

The Danes were certainly in no mood to risk defeat by pushing for a win they did not need to qualify. The encounter was tame enough in the early stages but once Peru had moved into a 2-0 lead late in the first half the game staggered almost to a halt as, after 36 matches, Russia's all-action World Cup registered its first goalless draw.

France and Denmark supporters knew that the 0-0 was good news and, hardly surprised by what was unfolding, displayed pockets of cheerful resistance. The neutrals, however, were left frustrated that it was their lot to find themselves watching the dullest game of the tournament.

France had rested several regulars, giving goalkeeper Steve Mandanda his first taste of tournament action. Yet he did not have a save to make, other than charging swiftly from his line to reach a through ball fractionally ahead of Christian Eriksen in a rare Danish attack.

Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel was similarly under-employed as France's star-studded team failed to test him, with Antoine Griezmann again looking off the pace before he was substituted 20 minutes from time.

The patience of the crowd finally cracked with 15 minutes left when Denmark looked to launch a counter-attack only for the man in possession to realise that virtually every one of his team mates had decided to stay in his own half and wish him the best of luck on his own. Boos, jeers and whistles rained down from the stands, along with chants of "Russia, Russia" as the game played out its tepid final exchanges.