Defeated Danes through

Denmark equalised through Michael Laudrup, also with a penalty, three minutes from halftime. It was the first goal the host nation has conceded in the finals.

But Emmanuel Petit wrapped up France8217;s third successive win with a low shot from the edge of the area in the 56th minute.

The Danes needed a draw to set up a second round clash with Group D8217; winners Nigeria without having to rely on the outcome of the other Group C8217; game between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.

But the Africans, who had only a mathematical chance of overtaking the Danes on goal difference if they beat Saudi Arabia handsomely, were drawing 2-2 seconds before the end.

Denmark play Nigeria in the second round while France play the runners-up in Group D8217;. Denmark alsoreached the second round in their only previous finals appearance in 1986.

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina awarded the first spot-kick for the hosts after 13 minutes when Jes Hogh felled striker David Trezeguet in the area.Playmaker Djorkaeff, filling in for suspended Zinedine Zidane, squeezed the ball into the net although goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel got his hand to the ball after choosing the right side.

Collina was equally determined when Vincent Candela brought down Martin Jorgensen in the area after a quickly taken free-kick in the 42nd minute.Captain Michael Laudrup left Fabien Barthez no chance from the spot. France, with just three players from the line-up that started their previous game against Saudi Arabia, showed few nerves and had a brisk first half in which they carved out a series of clear chances.

They nearly opened the scoring after four minutes when Schmeichel, winning a Danish record 103rd cap, parried a Patrick Vieira drive off a delightful Djorkaeff backheel.