FIFA World Cup 2018, France vs Peru: France will be keen to book an early place in the pre-quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup when they meet Peru, who are staring down the barrel of an early exit, in a Group C clash. France beat Australia 2-1 in their opening match last week, while Peru had suffered a 0-1 defeat to Denmark in their campaign opener. Although the French won their opening game 2-1 against Australia, it was a far from convincing display as their attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe too often looked isolated from their midfield. France scored from a penalty conversion from Antoine Griezmann and an own goal late in the game.
Considering the abundance of talents available, France are expected to play fantastic and flamboyant football. But their forward passing was not good against Australia. Head coach Didier Deschamps has to resolve this issue against a Peru side that was unlucky to lose against Denmark and who could go into the game knowing they need a win to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
WATCH| France vs Peru, FIFA World Cup 2018 Live Streaming
One solution would be for Griezmann to drop deeper to link with the midfield, while the introduction of Olivier Giroud for Dembele would provide a focal point for the attack and allow Griezmann and Mbappe to use the full width of the pitch to allow France more fluidity.
That was an rollicking half! Peru set the tempo but France responded in kind, and then some. Playing with skill and elegant simplicity, Les Bleus took the lead and continue to look dangerous. Peru, who missed a great chance to take the lead earlier, have a big problem: they need to find a goal to avoid elimination: and that could entail leaving themselves even more exposed to French counter-attacks.
Peru lose the ball in midfield. Giroud makes a canny run and Pogba finds him with a quick and clever pass Giroud nips it on towards Mbappé, who slides in and shoots first time from nine yards. It’s takes a nick off a defender and loops over the keeper and into the net!
32 min: Griezmann clips a pass over the Peruvian defence towards Mbappe, who tries to improvise with a flying back heel. But he doesn’t catch it right.
23 min: Guerrero is booked. I’m not sure what for: he had a freekick awarded in his favour and then argued with Umtiti and the ref saw something that warranted a yellow card, apparently. Poor old Guerrero, always at loggerheads with the authorities. What he needs his nice cup of tea at half-time. Or maybe not.
16 min: France have started matching Peru’s vibrancy, and their quality is coming to the fore. Giroud, again serving as an excellent fulcrum, heads a long ball down for Griezmann, who unleashes a half-volley from 18 yards. It’s straight at the keeper, who saves well.
12 min: Pogba unloads an excellent swirling cross-shot from 25 yards. It bounces in front of the keeper and whizzes inches wide! A fine effort.
2 min: France try to knock the ball about to ease themselves into the game, but Peru aren’t having that. They win the ball in midfield and quickly launch an attack, Guerrero sweeping the ball wide to Guerrero. Hernandez does well to poke the ball out for a throw-in.
1 min: Three, two, one ... we have kickoff!
The French players lend their voices to La Marseillaise with great enthusiasms.
The teams are in the tunnel, waiting to enter the arena, where a million Peruvians, or thereabouts, are already in full voice. If the play on the pitch lives up to the atmosphere off it, we’re in for a treat.
France: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez; Pogba, Kanté; Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi; Giroud
Subs: Mandanda, Areola, Sidibé, Rami, Mendy, Kimpembe, Nzonzi, Tolisso, Lemar, Fekir, Dembélé, Thauvin
Peru: Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Rodriguez, Trauco; Aquino, Flores, Yotun; Carrillo, Guerrero, Cueva
Subs: caceda, Carvallo, Corzo, Araujo, Cartagena, Hurtado, Loyola, Sanatamaria, Tapia, Ruidaz, Farfan, Polo
Referee: M Abdulla (UAE)
Hello and welcome to thrilling Thursday. It was a mesmerising match between Denmark and Australia. The match ended at 1-1. Now, France will take on Peru and if the Les Bleus win they will be through to the knockout rounds with ease.