PERU ARE POLEAXED BY HISTORY MAN MBAPPE
IT WAS not a testing finish by any stretch but, as Kylian Mbappe tapped in the goal which booked France into the next round, he created his own little piece of World Cup history. Mbappe, not born when the French claimed this trophy in 1998, became the first teenager to score for his country at a World Cup finals and their youngest goalscorer in any major tournament.
‘It was my dream, it has come true and I hope I will have more,’ smiled the 19-year-old. He has already won the French title winner and commanded a £167million transfer fee when moving from Monaco to Paris SaintGermain. Now his World Cup account is open and there will surely be more.
‘He has great qualities,’ said France boss Didier Deschamps. ‘He showed his speed and did what he had to do in the team plan. I am very satisfied.’
Mbappe took the man-of-the-match award but Deschamps disagreed, praising midfielder N’Golo Kante for another top-notch performance.
‘Kante had a great match. He was free in the system we chose,’ said Deschamps, referring to France’s 4-2-3-1 formation after fielding a 4-3-3 in their 2-1 win against Australia.
Deschamps will be pleased that his team pressed their opponents throughout, which they failed to do against the Socceroos, triggering criticism from the coach.
‘We matched them physically and it’s a good sign,’ said midfielder Blaise Matuidi.
Mbappe, 20 in December, is comfortably set in football’s fast lane. At least he was until his dreadfully slow exit in the 75th minute, shaking hands with virtually every player on the pitch as he made his way off.
France were under pressure and being tested by this point. Peru were dominating the ball and gathering momentum but an equaliser never came and their first appearance at a World Cup since 1982 will progress no further than the group.
They will leave an impression with their remarkable support but they head for home next week having lost their opening two games without managing to score a goal.
‘We are pained to be eliminated but we gave it our all,’ said manager Ricardo Gareca. ‘The fans were so enthusiastic. People have been surprised by the passion and love they have brought. It is truly unique.’
France move on to face Denmark in Moscow on Tuesday as they attempt to win Group C, which would set them up for a last-16 tie against the runners-up from Group A. Against Peru, they performed with more fluency than in the win against Australia and seemed more cohesive with Olivier Giroud up front, bringing more threat from Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Giroud, one of two changes made by Deschamps, gave them more physical presence and might have claimed the goal
had Mbappe not been so quick. Paul Pogba dispossessed Paolo Guerrero in midfield and had the awareness to play a simple pass into the penalty area for Giroud, who was played onside by alberto Rodriguez, dawdling out too slowly.
the chelsea striker went for goal with his left foot, on the turn and a partial block by Rodriguez sent his effort spinning high over goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
It may have bounced into the net but Mbappe pounced to make sure, tapping into an empty goal from a yard or two, and France deserved their lead.
they started at a good tempo and made chances, although might have been more clinical. Hugo lloris, winning his 100th cap, produced a vital save with his legs to deny Guerrero with the game goalless.
France proved to be solid at the back after the interval, with their defender protected by Kante’s brilliant midfield energy. Pedro aquino clipped a post with a swerving effort from long range but Peru, for all their desire, were unable to carve out any clear openings.
there was no goal for aquino to celebrate but he too went into World cup record books as the first to be cautioned via the video assistant referee, who corrected a case of mistaken identity, when the yellow card had been originally shown to edison Flores.
‘We are in the knockout stages so we are very satisfied,’ added deschamps.
‘It was tougher in the second period. We played a better game in the first half — it was more fluid and flowing. However, we were solid after the break which helped us get this result.
‘the defending doesn’t just come from the defence — the attacking players helped the team be more compact. this aided with the recovering of the ball in the first half — less so in the second half.’ FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6.5; Pavard 6, Varane 6.5, Umtiti 6, Hernandez 6; Kante 7.5, Pogba 7 (Nzonzi 85min); Mbappe 7.5 (Dembele 75, 6), Griezmann 7 (Fekir 79), Matuidi 6.5; GIROUD 8. Scorer: Mbappe 34. Booked: Matuidi, Pogba. Manager: Didier Deschamps 7. PERU (4-2-3-1): Gallese 6.5; Advincula 6, Ramos 6, Rodriguez 5 (Santamaria 46, 6), Trauco 6; Aquino 6.5, Yotun 5 (Farfan 46, 6); Carrillo 6.5, Cueva 6 (Ruidiaz 82), Flores 7; Guerrero 6. Booked: Guerrero, Aquino. Manager: Ricardo Gareca 6. Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan (UAE). Attendance: 32,789.