"There's still hope. We will need to play a great match against Denmark but it's still possible," he said after 10-man France failed to score for the second game running.

"I compliment all my players, they did all they could," said Lemerre. "It's a pity that once again we failed to score but France is not eliminated."

France, who lost their opening group A game 1-0 to Senegal, must now beat Denmark by two goals in their final match to be sure of reaching the second round and avoid becoming the first defending champions to be eliminated in the first round since 1966.