IN FOR THE KYL!
Didier’s delighted
DIDIER DESCHAMPS is demanding points not plaudits after Kylian Mbappe fired off-colour France into the last 16.
The Paris St-Germain striker, 19, became his country’s youngest World Cup scorer as pointless Peru crashed out with a game to spare.
But France – for the second game running – rode their luck for large periods as they once again failed to live up to their billing as tournament favourites.
Les Bleus boss Deschamps said: “We are in the knockout stages so we are very satisfied. That’s all we care about.
“We did have 25 minutes when we defended too much. Although we did it well.
Simple
“We were solid after the break which helped us get this result. But we still have to improve.”
France captain Hugo Lloris, who marked his 100th cap with a clean sheet, echoed his manager’s sentiments.
The Tottenham keeper is targeting top spot in Group C and said: “It’s very satisfying because we have reached our objective. We need to hold on to first place by not losing against Denmark.”
Mbappe tapped home a simple chance in the 34th minute after Olivier Giroud’s shot took a deflection and looped into his path.
France failed to convert several other first-half chances and it was a different story after the break when Peru came into it.
Yoshimar Yotun and Paolo Guerrero came close before Pedro Aquino hit the post.
Andre Carrillo and Luis Advincula blew other openings as Peru’s first appearance at the tournament for 36 years ended in disappointment.
Peru coach Pedro Gallese said: “We left everything on the field against two very tough opponents. But this does not end here, we are going to close the World Cup with the same attitude.”