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France vs Peru, World Cup: Final Score 1-0, Les Bleus escape with another narrow win

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France are not really that scary, are they?

France v Peru: Group C - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

The French national team have six points from their first two World Cup matches against Australia and Peru, which isn’t a shock at all. What is surprising is that France once again played quite badly against a mediocre nation, and Les Bleus once again escaped with a narrow win. Barcelona boys Umtiti and Dembélé played, but were not really a factor in this one. Which compared to how they played in the first game is actually good news.


After a very disappointing performance against Australia, France were finally dominant and showed that they can be a team and not just a group of really good players. The possession play was great and they were extremely dangerous on the counter, and they deserved to get a goal.

It took more than half an hour for the goal to come, but after a great Paul Pogba play and a lucky bounce on a shot by Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappé scored an easy tap-in to give his team the lead. Les Bleus then created two or three really good chances on the counter, but goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made timely stops to keep Peru in the game.

At halftime, a strong performance by the French had them deservedly ahead. Could they increase the lead and confirm the win?


France played an awful game against Australia, and it seemed like they liked that better than playing the amazing first half in this one, so they just went back to a bunch of good players instead of a really good team. They did not carry any attacking threat at any moment, and it was Peru who had the most dangerous chances. Ousmane Dembélé came on in the final minutes to try and give his team a spark, but the game ended with Peru sending long balls to the box in hopes of getting an equalizer, which is always a dangerous way to live if you have the lead.

So yeah, France have to get better. Much better.

France: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Lucas; Kanté, Pogba (Nzonzi); Mbappé (Dembélé), Griezmann (Fekir), Matuidi; Giroud

Goal: Mbappé (34’)

Peru: Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Rodriguez (Santamaría), Trauco; Aquino, Yotún (Farfán); Carillo, Cueva (Ruidíaz), Flores; Guerrero

Goals: None