France Upset Peru
France qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Peru in Yekaterinburg on Thursday.
Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the game on 34 minutes to seal victory, which also means Peru are out the tournament.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward became the youngest player to score for France aged 19 years and 183 days.
Pedro Aquino rattled the crossbar for Peru with a long shot in the second half but France were comfortable winners. They now top Group C with six points with one round of fixtures remaining.
France need a draw in their last match against Denmark on Tuesday to progress as group winners. Russia and Uruguay have already qualified from Group A in an order yet to be determined.
The first World Cup finals in 36 years will end at the opening hurdle for Peru, who join Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco in an early exit.
The South Americans started well and Yoshimar Yotun tried to beat Hugo Lloris from the halfway line but the France goalkeeper, playing his 100th game for his country, watched the effort sail over his bar.
Antoine Griezmann had France’s first chance but his shot from Olivier Giroud’s lay-off went wide. Paul Pogba then sent a shot wide of Pedro Gallese’s goal.
Peru captain Paolo Guerrero was struggling to make an impact on his World Cup starting debut. He put his hand in the face of Samuel Umtiti, then argued with the referee when the foul went against him, and was booked.
But Guerrero’s next contribution so nearly put Peru ahead. The 34-year-old all-time record goalscorer for his country was played in by Edison Flores from the right.
His first touch got him away from Samuel Umtiti and with his second he tested Lloris who saved well.
Having come close to taking the lead Peru were behind 10 minutes before the break with Mbappe scoring from close range.
Pogba was the architect by winning possession and playing through Giroud. When his shot was half-blocked by Miguel Trauco it ballooned up over the keeper for Mbappe to finish.
Peru needed to raise the tempo in the second half and Jefferson Farfan and Anderson Santamaria came on for Yotun and Alberto Rodriguez to add pace to their attack.
The changes seemed to be working and Aquino hit the crossbar. Farfan went close with an acrobatic volley into the side netting but Peru could find no way through.
Nabil Fekir came on for the disappointing Griezmann and was immediately clattered by Aquino.
The referee booked Edison Flores by mistake but corrected his decision after being prompted by the video assistant referee.
Pogba was then booked for catching Farfan with a flailing arm and from the free-kick Peru had their last chance but Guerrero’s set-piece was easily gathered by Lloris.
