Fast, exciting and now the youngest scorer in France's World Cup history. Kylian Mbappe is the one.
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At 19 years and 183 days, Mbappe became the youngest player to score for Les Bleus on soccer's biggest stage.
And his reward was leading France into the round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Peru on Thursday.
"I've always said that the World Cup is a dream for any player," Mbappe, who was born a few months after France won the 1998 title, said.
"It is a dream come true and I hope I will have more like this."
With two wins from two matches in Group C, France are through to the next round with a match to spare. Peru have been eliminated. Denmark are on four points after their 1-1 draw with Australia left the Socceroos on one point.
Paul Pogba, one of France's best players, set up the 34th-minute goal
He beat his defender and play in Olivier Giroud, whose shot took a deflection off a defender and looped over goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, allowing Mbappe to tap in from point-blank range.
France coach Didier Deschamps made a pair of tactical adjustments after an underwhelming performance in the team's opening win over Australia.
He started Giroud and Blaise Matuidi but kept the same 4-3-2-1 formation.
Paolo Guerrero started for Peru after coming off the bench in the opening loss to Denmark. He came out with energy but he cooled down after receiving a yellow card in the 23rd minute.
Guerrero nearly missed the World Cup before his doping ban was lifted by a Swiss judge prior to the tournament.
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris - who played his 100th international and 76th as captain - was one of three opposing skippers, along with Australia's Mile Jedinak and Denmark's Simon Kjaer, who signed a letter to FIFA supporting the lifting of the ban.
Guerrero had one of Peru's best chances in the 87th minute from a free kick but his attempt went right at Lloris.
"We gave it our best in two matches. We came into this match with a completely different set of expectations but I have nothing to hold against my players," Peru coach Ricardo Gareca said.
"France is a hard team to harness. ... France corrected its style over the course of the game, this proves that France is a great side."
Peru will face Australia in Sochi while France take on Denmark in Moscow, both on Tuesday, with top spot to be decided and the second group qualifier.
Australian Associated Press
