France earn their place in the Last 16 while Peru can already prepare their flight home
Mbappe's goal was enough to make the difference as France qualified for the Last 16 and at the same time condemned Peru to an early exit from the World Cup
France became the third side to qualify for the Round of 16 after notching their second win in as many matches as they beat plucky Peru 1-0 in Group C.
FRA
1 ________________ 0
PER
LINE UP
Francia
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Kanté, Matuidi; Mbappé (Dembélé, 74'), Pogba (Nzonzi, 88'), Griezmann (Fekir, 79'); y Giroud.
Perú
Gallese; Advíncula, Ramos, Rodríguez (Santamaría, 46'), Trauco; Aquino, Yutún (Farfán, 46'); Carrillo, Cueva (Ruidíaz, 81'), Flores; y Guerrero.
Gol
Mohammed Abdullah Hassan (Estados Árabes Unidos). TA: Matuidi (16'), Guerrero (22'), Aquino (80'), Pogba (85¿)
Árbitro
1-0 M. 35 Mbappé.
Estadio
Central de Ekaterimburgo. 35.000 espectadores.
The biggest surprise in France's starting lineup was the omission of Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele. Olivier Giroud was instead preferred to lead the line with Antoine Griezmann sitting just behind him, a role he’s used to at Atletico Madrid.
Peru knew they needed to win in order to keep their slim World Cup hopes alive and there was a first start for Paolo Guerrero as they looked to do that. The South Americans have something of a cult following due to their exciting style of football but much like Morocco, it hasn’t translated to positive results out on the pitch.
The opening period was largely controlled by France and it came as no surprise when Kylian Mbappe, who has started this tournament in good spirits after his impressive season at PSG, got off the mark 10 minutes before half time. Giroud was played in behind by Paul Pogba and his effort ricocheted off the defender and fell kindly to Mbappe, a yard out, to tap home and give France the lead. Mbappe became France's youngest goalscorer in World Cup history.
Peru upped the tempo in the second half as they desperately searched for the equaliser but even when they did break through, Hugo Lloris was there to clean up. To bring up the comparison with Morocco again, Peru lacked a cutting edge in the final third which we have seen is making the difference in these tight encounters. Cristiano for Portugal, Cheryshev for Russia and Kane for England are just some examples of how a bit of quality in attack goes a long way at this level, despite how nicely you can knock the ball around.
France brought on Dembele with the final 20 minutes and he looked lively but still short of confidence. He had an opportunity to put the game to bed but couldn't keep his effort on target. In the end it didn't matter as Peru's inability to create genuine chances meant France only need the solitary goal to claim victory.
A place in the last sixteen awaits France while Peru's players can start planning their summer holidays as the World Cup adventure is over for them.
