France secured their passage out of the group stages with a second-successive World Cup 2018 win, this time over Peru on Thursday night.
Les Bleus managed to keep game opponents at arm’s length throughout large parts of the contest at Ekaterinburg Arena and sit atop of Group F.
France 4-3-3
Hugo Lloris – 7: Became seventh France player to reach a century of caps and marked it with fine low first-half stop to deny Peru talisman Paolo Guerrero.
Benjamin Pavard – 5: The Bundesliga-based star is still learning the ropes at right-back and looks like the weak link in this line-up, especially against better sides.
Raphael Varane – 6: Excellent run and climb to meet Griezmann corner on 15 minutes, would have been disappointed not to score. Otherwise resolute, tidy and nonplussed in defence.
Samuel Umtiti – 7: Barcelona man took a heavy knock in the second period but carried on and put his body on the line for the cause. Solid.
Lucas Hernandez – 5: Left-back flew forward down the flank but spurned two golden opportunities to score towards end of first-half. Still needs to work on defensive positioning.
Paul Pogba – 7: Superb effort in 12th minute and was commanding in a dominant display. Nipped in superbly to break up possession and set France on their way to scoring first goal.
N’Golo Kante – 8: France’s marathon man didn’t put a foot wrong in the middle of the park and was on hand to sweep up everything.
Blaise Matuidi – 5: Booked early on. Covered for Hernandez’s forward forays down the left but overall inclusion in this side is still up for debate.
Antoine Griezmann – 6: Spurned early chance from angle when should have struck across goal. Played too deep at times and needed to be further forward to feed off Giroud. Subbed off with 10 minutes to go.
Kylian Mbappe – 6: Guilty of over-playing and loosing possession all too often and is still learning his trade out wide. Showed clinical movement and predatory instincts though to turn in Giroud’s shot.
Olivier Giroud – 8: His sheer presence gave France a much-needed focal point and more balance to this line-up. Had a hand in the goal and always kept opponents occupied.
Substitutes
Ousmane Dembele – 5: Dropped from starting XI and entered the fray with 15 minutes to go for Mbappe. Snatched at one opportunity when more composure was needed.
Nabil Fekir – 5: Had little time to have an affect on the game.
Steven Nzonzi – 5: Brought on late for Pogba for his first World Cup appearance but limited time left on clock gave him no time to do anything.
