YEKATERINBURG, Russia, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Kylian Mbappe's first World Cup goal helped France lead Peru with 1-0 in the first half of their World Cup Group C game at the Yekaterinburg Arena here on Thursday.
Both teams, playing the 4-2-3-1 formation, launched attacks from the very beginning. However, France and Peru haven't created good chances in the first 10 minutes, as defenders of two teams put up strong defenses.
The first chance for France came in the 14th minute, as Raphael Varane rose to head Antoine Griezmann's corner from the left towards goal. The French defender got ahead of his man to head towards the far side of the goal, but he placed his effort wide of the post.
In the 30th minutes, Paolo Guerrero's left footed shot from the center of the box was saved by France captain Hugo Lloris.
After 4 minutes, Kylian Mbappe, France's youngest ever player in the major tournaments, made a right footed shot from very close range and scored his first goal at the World Cup.
Les Bleus created several chances in the last 10 minutes of the first half but the efforts didn't pay off in face of the strong defense of the Peru side.
Thursday's match marks the first clash between France and Peru at World Cup which is crucial for both teams. At least one point is needed for Peru in this match to preserve their hope of surviving the World Cup group stage while a win at Yekaterinburg Arena will put France in a vantage position to progress to the last 16. Enditem
