Peru eliminated as Mbappe secures France's place in the knockouts

Didier Deschamps caused some head-scratching with his starting lineup for Thursday's clash, replacing Ousmane Dembele and Corentin Tolisso with Blaise Matuidi and Olivier Giroud. Strangely he utilised Matuidi, who usually plays a relatively deep central role for Juventus, out left in an attacking role ahead of Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante.

Despite a strong start from Peru, France nonetheless looked impressive in the first period. Ricardo Gareca's side threatened in the opening ten minutes, but they were unable to transform their pressure into concrete chances, and France grew into the tie. 

They got better the longer the half went on, and after a series of dangerous attacks, they took the lead through Kylian Mbappe in the 34th minute. The PSG starlet had come close just minutes before, but took advantage of a heavy deflection to put his nation one goal to the good. 

Olivier Giroud created the opportunity, as his cross/shot bounced off Alberto Rodriguez, over the keeper and right into Mbappe's path. The 19-year-old made no mistake, burying a tap-in to become the youngest Frenchmen to ever score at a World Cup or European Championship.

 

June 21, 2018

France threatened to score again with half-time approaching, and when the referee brought the first half to a close, Peru were relieved to have only conceded once. 

The South American side made two changes at half-time, with danger-man Jefferson Farfan and Anderson Santamaria taking the places of Yoshimar Yotun and Rodriguez. They went on the front foot after the break, on the hunt for an equaliser, but France defended well, and Peru lacked a cutting edge in the final third. 

Deschamps' men didn't pose as much of a threat in the second half, and on another day they would have been punished for not killing the game off. However, just like in their opener against Australia, they did enough, and they managed to see the game off, recording a 1-0 win.

With this result, France are guaranteed a spot in the final 16, moving back up to the top of the group after Denmark's earlier draw against Australia. They still don't quite look like the finished article, but all that matters to them is the result; their campaign marches on. 

Peru's journey, however, is over. After 36 years away from the World Cup, two losses in two games means they can't progress to the knockout round. They have played well, but their inability to find the net in either game has cost them, and they will return home after their final game against Australia.

 

June 21, 2018