France book last-16 spot with underwhelming victory that sends Peru home
Rarely can a guest have brought so much to a party and yet left so early. France are safely into the last 16 of the World Cup but the most salient and sad fact feels like the confirmation that Peru, and a vast group of fans who have charmed Russia over this past week, can already start planning their long journey home.
Having already been beaten by Denmark after playing some good technical football without any real cutting edge, Peru were defeated here by an improving French team after playing, yes, some good technical football without any real cutting edge.
They rarely ever seriously threatened to stop France once Kylian Mbappe, at the age of just 19, had become his country’s youngest ever player to score at a major international tournament finals. David Trezeguet set the previous record at the 1998 World Cup, which France went on to win, and was in Ekaterinburg to watch this game. An omen perhaps?
France certainly remain a work in progress but, with Olivier Giroud recalled to their starting team, the attack suddenly had the focus it had so lacked in beating Australia. Both Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann were consequently far more threatening.
Trezeguet had been in Russia as the guest of honour and, like every other French fan, certainly found himself in a minority. More than 25,000 Peru supporters are following their first participation in a World Cup finals since 1982 and, in all four sides of the Ekateringburg Arena, their distinct white and red kit was the dominant sight.
Despite packages costing as much as 40 times the average monthly wage, entire families of Peruvians have added immeasurably to the atmosphere and sense of occasion with their passion and friendly nature. They have been testament to what simply being at a World Cup can mean.
There were many tears among them during a booming rendition of the national anthem and again once their fate was sealed but they will travel en masse for the final group game against Australia when just their sheer presence should ensure considerable motivation.
“These people are incredible,” said their manager Ricardo Gareca. “We are pained, sorry we couldn’t give them a better tournament but we gave it our all. I think people were surprised by the passion they brought with their love for the national team. It is truly unique and fantastic and this is the beginning not the end for this team. I think this going to make us stronger.”
France, too, look like they are gathering strength, even if manager Didier Deschamps’s irritation at facing questions about his team’s second-half dip was obvious.
“We are happy to qualify - our game was more fluid and flowing,” he said. “I saw Spain against Iran and they spent the last ten minutes defending. If you want 5-0, don’t come to a World Cup.”
Deschamps had previously unleashed Mbappe, Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele in a 4-3-3 system against Australia and, while his theory was bold, the practical application was of three strikers making similar runs and generally getting in one another’s way. In starting here, Giroud made the rest of the attacking unit look more effective and comfortable.
A brilliantly cushioned header down to Griezmann as he backed into the Peru defenders created France’s clear chance. It was then the Chelsea striker’s run into the channel that was wonderfully picked out by Paul Pogba. His shot was blocked by Alberto Rodriguez but Mbappe gratefully followed in to score France’s winner.
“Olivier’s connections were very good,” said Deschamps. “All the players around him, especially Antoine, had a lot of exchanges and passes. It is very often when he is not on the pitch that we realise how useful he is.”
Peru were certainly not without their moments but this was another story of them working hard, passing the ball well with style and ambition but rarely threatening. Their best first-half chance came when record-scorer Paolo Guerrero sprinted in front of Samuel Umtiti but Hugo Lloris, on his 100th cap for France, got down well to block the chance.
Pedro Aquino then began the second half with a wonderful curling strike from 30 yards which had beaten Lloris but cannoned off the angle between post and crossbar. It was an agonising moment but as good as it would get for Peru and their fans. And it can only be hoped that it is not another 36 years before they return to football’s greatest stage.
Peru's talisman could not find that all-important goal tonight
Here's Frederick Clayton analysing the Peru forward's performance.
Great idea
Arrange Peru v Morocco for the rest day next Friday
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) June 21, 2018
On-the-whistle analysis
Jeremy Wilson is in Yekaterinburg, and has looked at the impact a returning Olivier Giroud had on France's attack. Read his piece here.
Peru had enough chances
Peru could have got something from that, they certainly had enough chances, but too many of them came from distance. Lloris had a quiet day at the office.
France vs Peru shots on goal
Disappointment all round
Okay, France won't be too down after winning for a second successive game, but the fans won't be all that happy either, given the manner of this performance. It was definitely better than the laboured display against Australia, but they also did little to convince the doubters that they are contenders to win the competition.
Peru, meanwhile, with their attack-minded play and so many passionate supporters in Russia, crash out at the earliest possible stage. Most people would have wanted to see them get a result here - and they probably deserved something from the game - but it wasn't to be. Bye, bye, Peru.
Full time
France hold on for a narrow win and they have qualified for the second round. Peru are out of the 2018 World Cup.
90 mins +4 - France 1 Peru 0
Final minute, and France have the ball up the wrong end of the pitch. Dembele should keep it but he crosses and Gallese claims. He launches it up the field but Guerrero is tackled by the irrepressible Kante. France come again and Giroud wins a corner. That should be that.
90 mins +3 - France 1 Peru 0
A free-kick for Peru out on the right near halfway. A chance to lump the ball into the box.
Avincula does just that, but Guerrero flicks on... and out of play. They'll be lucky to get another chance.
90 mins +2 - France 1 Peru 0
France wind down the clock with the ball in the corner. They eventually cross, and Matuidi fires a volley at goal from the edge of the box, but it goes well wide.
90 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Four minutes added on for Peru to find an equaliser.
89 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Final sub for France: Nzonzi replaces Pogba. Deschamps is trying to shut up shop.
88 mins - France 1 Peru 0
It's on target but far too weak, and central. Lloris saves easily.
Only Peru's second shot on target tonight.
France vs Peru shots on goal
87 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Farfan wins a free kick going down after Pogba catches him with a stray arm, and the ref gives him a pretty ridiculous yellow card. Pogba can't believe it. Peru have a free-kick 35 yards from goal, in a central position. Guerrero is over it. The Peru fans in the stands pray.
84 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Peru win a corner. Big opportunity. Lots of goals from corners at this tournament...
It's hit too deep, though, and Umtiti flicks it clear.
82 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Dembele snatches at a falling ball on the edge of the box, sending his effort wide of the post.
Ruidiaz replaces Cueva for Peru.
81 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Fekir's first contribution is to be fouled. The ref books Flores, but is then told by the VAR that he got the wrong man. Aquio eventually goes in the book. More seconds eaten up.
80 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Another France sub: Fekir replaces Griezmann.
78 mins - France 1 Peru 0
The clock is ticking and France are doing their best to slow this game right down. At every stoppage they're wasting Peru's precious seconds.
74 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Lovely move from Peru, ending with Carrillo crossing - this time slightly overhit - and Farfan can only hit the side netting.
Ousmane Dembele replaces Mbappe for France. He's giving every France team-mate a high five as he takes an age to get off the pitch.
70 mins - France 1 Peru 0
20 minutes left for Peru to save their World Cup dream.
68 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Guerrero can't turn his header towards goal, instead only helping France to clear.
Avincula fires over from distance. That was never troubling Lloris, just like most of Peru's efforts today.
France vs Peru shots on goal
66 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Another poor cross does for Peru. Carrillo beats the full-back again but his cross is easily headed away by Umtiti.
64 mins - France 1 Peru 0
France are not scared to commit men forwards despite their lead. They break with numbers on both sides, but this attack breaks down when Mbappe delays too long and is eventually snuffed out.
61 mins - France 1 Peru 0
A short period of Peru pressure, here. Ramos slides a lovely ball between Umtiti and Hernandez for Avincula on the right wing, but his cross is poor.
Farfan then gets in on the left but his cross lets him down, too. France fail to clear properly and Carrillo lines one up from distance. It's well hit, but he is just leaning back too much and it flies over the bar.
Miss: France 1 - 0 Peru (André Carrillo, 61 min)
58 mins - France 1 Peru 0
A good ball down the line finds Carrillo on the right wing, and his well-placed cross has nobody there to meet it.
He then goes down on the edge of the box and wants a free-kick, or even a penalty, but he was only brushed by Hernandez and the referee wave away his appeals. Nothing more from VAR, either.
54 mins - France 1 Peru 0
France win a free-kick out on the left win, a few yards deeper than the edge of the penalty area. Griezmann stands over it.
Gallese eventually claims it after Peru fail to clear properly, and looks to launch a counter but only succeeds in booting straight out of play.
52 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Ooooooh wow so unlucky for Peru! Patient build up, and Farfan is at the centre of it all. He trades passes with Cueva and Flores, before nut-megging Griezmann (slightly fortunately), and laying off for Aquino, who smacks an effort with the outside of his boot towards the top corner. Lloris is rooted to the spot and it hits the outside of the post! So close to an equaliser!
Post: France 1 - 0 Peru (Pedro Aquino, 50 min)
49 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Umtiti is quickly back on after a bit of magic spray.
47 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Umtiti is down, writhing around in pain holding his thigh after a challenge under a high ball with Farfan. He looks in a lot of pain and replays show Farfan's knee connected with the defender's thigh. He should be okay.
A double change for Peru
Santamaria comes on at centre-back for Rodriguez. Winger Farfan is also on for central midfielder Yotun in a more attacking move.
Peru get the second half started.
What will this half bring?
Peru have to score, or they'll become the latest team to crash out of the 2018 World Cup. We should have an open second period, as a result. Just a few minutes until we restart.
Half time
A really, really entertaining half, that. Peru have again given a great account of themselves and might well have taken the lead, but in the end France's superior quality shone through. They had the lion's share of the chances, and a front line of Mbappe, Giroud and Griezmann won't need too many opportunities to score.
France lead through Mbappe's 34th-minute opener at the break.
France vs Peru shots on goal
45 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Two minutes added on.
44 mins - France 1 Peru 0
Peru need half time. They are beginning to get drawn out of position and France look like they could profit.
42 mins - France 1 Peru 0
France enjoying a bit of possession now, and they're happy to try and take the sting out of this with half time approaching.
They build slowly, left to right, right to left, and the ball eventually finds Griezmann in a No 10 position. He turns and spots Hernandez on the overlap on the left, but the full-back's shot is charged down.
39 mins - France 1 Peru 0
It's opening up here as Peru push forward in search of an equaliser. Guerrero think he is fouled in the box but it's a desperate penalty shout, and France go racing up the other end. Mbappe charges down the right, leaving Rodriguez for dead, then feeds Griezmann in-field, who so, so nearly plays Giroud in on goal with a lovely poked dink with the outside of his boot, all done while running at full tilt. Incredible stuff.
36 mins - France 1 Peru 0
19 - Kylian Mbappe (19 years & 6 months) is the youngest France ���� player ever to score in a major tournament �� (World Cup + EURO). Speechless.
#WorldCup#FRAPER pic.twitter.com/XqteY8tEM6— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 21, 2018
GOOOOOOALLL! France 1 Peru 0 (Mbappe 34)
Pogba is involved again, darting in from a left-of-centre position after stealing the ball as Peru try to play out from the back. He then disguises a reverse pass into Giroud on his favoured left foot. He shoots first time, and the defender's challenge takes the ball up and over Gallese in goal, allowing Kylian Mbappe time to catch the ball up and tap home to put France ahead!
France 1 - 0 Peru (Kylian Mbappé, 34 min)
33 mins - France 0 Peru 0
There's that little bit of magic we know Pogba is capable of: he picks up the ball 30 yards from goal, turns away from a defender and lifts the ball over the Peru backline and into the path of Mbappe, but he can't quite turn it goalwards.
31 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Oooh just as I said Peru weren't finding a way through they work their best chance of the game. Flores gets free down the left and crosses low to Guerrero, who steals in to nick the ball away from Umtiti, and suddenly he has a clear sight of goal! He winds up with his left and shoots low and hard at goal, but Lloris saves well with his legs. Huge chance for Peru.
29 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Peru spreading play around nicely enough but haven't found a way through this France defence.
25 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Flores swings wildly at an effort from a difficult angle on the edge of the box. It goes well wide.
Peru have made a decent start but their shots have been pretty ambitious.
France vs Peru shots on goal
23 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Umtiti goes down holding his face after the slightest of touches from an outstretched Guerrero arm. The Peru captain cannot believe it, and lets Umtiti know it. The ref isn't happy about his reaction, and he books him for his trouble.
20 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Peru win a free kick in the attacking left corner of the pitch after a slightly harsh handball by Pavard. But it is wasted, when Umtiti is dragged to the ground in the box.
19 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Lots coming down the France right so far. Given they have no left winger, maybe that shouldn't be too much of a surprise.
France vs Peru
16 mins - France 0 Peru 0
It's all happening now. Giroud nods a long ball down to Griezmann, who strikes at goal with his weaker right foot on the half-volley. He connects fairly well but Gallese saves pretty easily with his legs.
Then Peru go to break, but Matuidi brings that attack to a swift end by tugging back Advincula. Quite rightly, he is booked.
15 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Corner France. Mbappe wants the VAR to take another look at the grappling going on in the box. The referee tells him to get on with it.
Varane attacks the cross, and rises, free from a marker to meet it perfectly. He fires a glanced header towards the far post but it just misses the target. France are growing into this.
12 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Griezmann flicks on to Giroud, who in turn looks to try and play his strike partner in. He fails, but the ball cannons off a defender and straight into Griezmann's path. The angling is tightening by the second, and he skews his effort wide of the near post.
Pogba then lets rip from distance, and has Gallesse scrambling across to his right-hand post. For a split second it looks like it might sneak in but it skids just wide in the end.
Miss: France 0 - 0 Peru (Paul Pogba, 12 min)
10 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Good work by Carrillo down the right - Peru will be enthused by the start he has made up against Hernandez - but his cross lets him down.
9 mins - France 0 Peru 0
France get their first bit of possession, and they manage to get up the pitch with a direct ball from Varane up to Giroud, who chests down to Pogba. They can't work an opening, though, and Peru clear.
7 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Big, big challenges flying in from Peru. Pogba doesn't look happy about one but it's a fair one according to the ref. The ball falls to Yotun in midfield. He takes one look up and launches quite ludicrous effort at goal from the halfway line. For a split second it looks like Lloris might be in trouble, but it sails well over the bar.
Miss: France 0 - 0 Peru (Yoshimar Yotún, 6 min)
5 mins - France 0 Peru 0
The Peru fans are making all the noise and their players are making all the early running down on the pitch, too. France have not got out of their half, yet, and I don't think Giroud has touched the ball. Plenty of time to go, of course.
2 mins - France 0 Peru 0
Early intentions made clear: centre-back Rodriguez tells Giroud he's up for the physical battle with a big challenge, then Carrillo gets his head down and charges at Hernandez at left-back. Lively start.
Carrillo manages to hurt himself when going on another foray down the wing, but he looks okay to continue.
1 min - France 0 Peru 0
The stadium is absolutely bouncing, what an atmosphere for this one. We're up and running.
Here we go then
We're ready in Yekaterinburg, and France will get the match under way.
It sounds like there are a lot of Peru fans there
The stands are bathed in a sea of red, and the noise during the Peru national anthem suggests a very strong turn out from the South Americans.
A reminder of how weird this stadium is
This picture, taken during Uruguay's win against Egypt, shows the view from the back of the massive temporary stands at the Ekaterinburg Arena. Bizarre.
Big Ollie Giroud
The Chelsea forward leads the line for France today having done well when he came on for the final 20 minutes against Australia. He is a player who really is far too underrated, I think just because he is a big man and he is so often given far too little credit for the quality in other parts of his game. Yes, he is great at holding the ball up, but his finishing and passing are also top drawer.
France have tried to play without him but always seem to do better when he is in the team. He scored three times in six appearances at Euro 2016, and it is the right decision to bring him in, here.
Ton up
Hugo Lloris makes his 100th France appearance today.
How has this happened?
Only Didier Deschamps could have players like Lemar, Dembele, Thauvin, Martial and Coman to pick from and still end up with Blaise Matuidi on the left wing.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) June 21, 2018
A bit of fun
Have a go on our match forecaster, and see who should win today based on six key factors.
World Cup 2018 Simulator Single Game
I'm predicting a 2-1 France win.
Permutations
After Denmark's draw with Australia, they top the group with four points from two games.
France will qualify for the second round with a win against Peru here, while a draw or a Peru win would leave all four teams in with a chance of qualifying with one game to go. Defeat for Peru sends them out.
It's all over in Samara
Denmark vs Australia has just finished 1-1, which is the best possible result for the two teams counting down to kick off here. Avoid defeat, and Peru will still have a chance of progression to the knockout round.
Two changes for Peru
Paolo Guerrero and Pedro Aquino, who both appeared from the bench against Denmark, come in for Renato Tapia and Jefferson Farfan:
Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Rodriguez, Trauco; Aquino, Yotun; Carrillo, Cueva, Flores; Guerrero
The teams are in
As expected, Giroud and Matuidi start for France:
Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas Hernandez; Kante, Pogba; Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
La composition de l'Equipe de France ! #FRAPERpic.twitter.com/czfTXXnnpI
— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) June 21, 2018
Jeremy Wilson's preview
Our man in Ekaterinburg wrote this piece yesterday on the pressure building on France manager Didier Deschamps. Go have a read.
Some pre-match entertainment
Have a go at our 'You are the VAR' game. It's tough. Trust me.
test - do not delete
And on the eighth day...
The football schedule is gloriously unrelenting right now, and today the 2018 World Cup continues with France trying to improve on their dreadful opening performance, this time facing fans' second team, Peru.
The French scraped past Australia last week with the help of a VAR-reviewed penalty and a fortunate own goal. They might have won, but the display was extremely unconvincing, and manager Didier Deschamps has since come under heavy pressure to get this talented group of players firing. He is expected to attempt to do so today by changing his lineup, bringing in Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi.
France and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris agrees that improvement is necessary.
"There is always pressure for all matches, especially when we started the World Cup," said the Tottenham player at his pre-match press conference.
"But this is when you have to go beyond your own capacities as a competitor.
"Tomorrow is going to be a difficult match; if we do not raise our quality level, we are going to have some difficulties."
Today's opponents Peru were, for the most part, the better team in defeat to Denmark on Saturday. Christian Cueva sent a first half penalty over the bar, while Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero both missed good chances to rescue a point.
Lloris is well aware of the threat their South American opponents pose.
"Peru are a quality team, a difficult team to beat. We know that the players are committed to playing for their country.
"It is their last chance to go through the group stages so they are going to give everything and we are going to have to raise our quality level so we can get the three points."
In a World Cup dominated by teams who think sitting deep is the best route to success , the attacking football Peru played in their first match has meant plenty of fans want to see them succeed. Their play should, at least, help produce a good game today.
