Dubai: Didier Deschamps’ France booked their passage to the knockout rounds of the World Cup but it was far from plain sailing against a stubborn Peru side who were undone by an unfortunate goal. Kylian Mbappe grabbed the only goal near the end of a lively first half in which France impressed, but they looked much more fragile as Peru made them work hard for the win after the break.
Olivier Giroud and Blaise Matuidi started for France after serving as effective second-half substitutes in the opening 2-1 victory over Australia in which the three-pronged attack of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele didn’t impress.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made his 100th international appearance between the sticks.
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca brought back striker Paolo Guerrero after using him as a substitute in the opening match against Denmark. The 34-year-old is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 35 goals but has missed a lot of action because of a doping ban that was lifted only weeks ago by a Swiss judge.
You could hardly hear a thing as Peru’s huge travelling fanbase banged their drums as things got under way — with boos ringing out every time France touched the ball.
And Peru almost had an opener when Yoshimar Yotun attempted an enterprising lob from halfway e with Lloris off his line, but the ball went narrowly over the bar.
The 1998 champions were soon into their stride as Giroud found Griezmann with a lay-off in the 11th minute, but the Atletico Madrid striker was off target.
The chances came thick and fast for France as Raphael Varane was next to just miss the target.
Mbappe appealed for a penalty when he went down in the area but Emirati referee Mohammad Abdullah Hassan has having none of it and waved played on.
Griezmann finally got a shot on target after 16 minutes but it was straight at goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
The game quietened down a notch after that as Peru looked to have weathered the early storm.
And again they should have opened the scoring on 31 minutes when top scorer Paolo Guerrero shot from close range, only to see his the ball blocked by Lloris’ legs.
Mbappe just missed a flick at the other end, but he didn’t have to wait long for his first goal of the tournament.
Giroud’s shot was blocked by Gallese but it bounced kindly for Mbappe and the teenager tapped home on 34 minutes.
It could have been two by half-time but both Giroud and Lucas Hernandez were thwarted.
Peru came out with more intent after the break and Pedro Aquino went so close to an equaliser when his pile-driver smashed of the junction of the post and the crossbar with Lloris well beaten.
The had confidence and a spring in their step now, pinning France back with some neat passing and probing but no killer touch.
Andre Carillo and Luis Advincula were at the heart of the action and Carillo saw his long-range shot drift just over the bar after 61 minutes, before Advincula saw a similar result from a similar effort.
For all their graft, Peru just could not find a way through. A free-kick from Guerrero in the dying minutes summed uyp their day as it nestled safely in Lloris’ hands and France were delighted to hear the final whistle that secured their progress to the last 16.
Despite the six points and the two wins, pre-tournament favourites France will need to find another gear if they want to go all the way.
