France needed a lone first-half strike from teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe to edge past Peru and end the South American’s hopes of reaching Russia 2018’s Round of 16.
France’s all-star side were made to work overtime before subduing a brave Peru in front of a buoyant South American-flavoured crowd.
La Blanquirroja enjoyed good periods throughout the match and were outplayed only in the final quarter-hour of the first half. It was at that point that Mbappe broke the deadlock with a close-range tap-in. It proved enough for France to maintain their lead at the top of Group C and shore up a ticket to the last-16.
Peru can consider themselves unlucky with Paolo Guerrero denied and Pedro Aquino hitting the post. Peru’s campaign is now over after successive 1-0 defeats.
Team reporter analysis
France did the job that was required to qualify for the second round. Two matches, two victories and an ultimately satisfying performance, as well as an overall improvement on their first match. Didier Deschamps’s pre-match tactical switches paid dividends.
Peru tried but stumbled again with a lack of attacking efficiency. After a first half where the opening minutes saw the Peruvian team outplay their rival, France became dominant for periods of the game. Looking keen when on the attack, veteran striker Paolo Guerrero found a Hugo Lloris who was bag in form blocking his way.
Budweiser Man of the Match
Teenage wunderkind Kylian Mbappe was named Budweiser Man of the Match for his winning goal and tireless lively presence in the forward line.
The stat
As well as impressing throughout the game, Mbappe became France’s youngest ever goalscorer at the World Cup, with the rising star still only aged 19 years and 183 days. It was a day of milestones for Les Bleus, too, with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris celebrating a century of appearances.
