EKATERINBURG, Russia -- Three thoughts on France's 1-0 win vs. Peru in Group C at the World Cup.
1. France labour but secure knockout-round progress
France joined Russia and Uruguay in securing a place in the World Cup second round, but it took a Kylian Mbappe strike in the first half to seal another unconvincing victory for the 1998 champions.
Mbappe was already his country's youngest-ever player at a major tournament and become its youngest World Cup scorer with his 34th-minute goal, which saw him tap in from close range after Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese had half-blocked Olivier Giroud's shot.