YEKATERINBURG – France coach Didier Deschamps said he took great satisfaction in his highly rated team's display to defy a battling Peru team and reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Thursday.
Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal in the 34th minute, and became his country's youngest-ever World Cup scorer at the age of 19 years and 183 days.
Peru pinned back the France defence in the second half in Yekaterinburg but could not find a way through and exit the tournament after two defeats.
French supporters celebrate a goal as they watch a broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Group C preliminary round soccer match between France and Peru. Photo: GuillLaume Horcajuelo/EPA
“We suffered in the second half. They were in a real rhythm and we had trouble breaking it -- this is a good Peruvian team,” Deschamps told TF1 television.
“But we've qualified. That was our aim and I am very satisfied with what the players produced.”
France will play Denmark, who are second in the group after drawing 1-1 with Australia in the earlier game, in their final game on Tuesday.
“Our objective for the third match will be to secure first place in the group, but first of all we are going to savour it because we have won two matches and that is not the case for everyone,” Deschamps said.