I'm John Lupo. Thank you for joining me today and a reminder that the action continues with the final game of the day as Lionel Messi and Argentina take on Group D leaders Croatia. Join Ryan White and Daniel Orme with all the action here. Good night from Ekaterinburg!
A word on Peru: this is without a doubt a side that was capable of doing damage in the knockout stages, but their wastefulness in front of goal is what cost them. While their first World Cup since 1982 comes to an end after group play wraps up against Australia next Tuesday, they can leave the tournament with their heads held high with the displays of exciting, attacking football they have put on for the fans. Here's hoping we see them four years from now in Qatar.
So Didier Deschamps' side join hosts Russia and Uruguay into the last 16, but neither of France's wins have been convincing. They looked stretched when attacked and took a while to get going. Mbappe becomes Les Blues' youngest scorer in major international competition. Nevertheless, they top the group heading into their final group game against Denmark.
FT And the referee's whistle brings an end to this one with France victorious 1-0.
90+3 Peru with more poor finishing, Guerrero's header from a free kick bouncing harmlessly wide.
90'+2 Matuidi tries to kill the game off, but his effort is nowhere near.
90' The referee signals for four minutes of stoppage time.
89' France make their last substitution, Steven N'Zonzi on for Pogba.
88' The resulting free kick by Guerrero is hit straight at Lloris, yet another disappointing finish for Peru.
86' Pogba is booked, the first player to be shown a yellow card for France today.
84' Peru win a corner, but nothing comes of it. Their set pieces have been well below their standards.
82' Peru make their final change, Ruidiaz on for Cueva, whose penalty miss against Denmark may loom as the biggest of La Blanquirroja's chances in this World Cup.
81' Edison Flores is initially booked for Peru, but the referee realizeshe has shown the yellow to the wrong man and books Aquino instead.
80' France with their second substitution as Fekir replaces Griezmann.
79' Guerrero beats his marker, but he's judged to be offsides.
75' France make their first change as Mbappe is subbed off for Ousmane Dembele.
74' Sumptuous cross from Garrillo to Farfan, but he finds the side netting! You really feel the South Americans deserve something for their efforts today.
70' Twenty minutes remaining and Peru are still chasing the game.
68' Nifty short passing and the ball finds Advincula, who shoots just high. La Blanquirroja perhaps coming closer to levelling this match.
65' France are understandably soaking up all of this Peru pressure, but leave themselves open to a possible equalizer.
61' Farfan blazes over the goal from just outside six-yard box!
60' Peru with another good spell of possession in the French end and some neat build-up play, but the lack of service is wasting all of this fine play.
58' Garrillo is taken down in the box by Matuidi, but the referee lets them play on. Replays show this was the correct decision.
50' Aquino's effort is denied by the post!
47' Farfan's first contribution to the game is a foul on Umtiti. The France defender is limping to the bench.
45' Peru get the second half underway and coach Ricardo Gareca makes a double change, Farfan on for Yotun and Santamaria on for Rodriguez.
HT France started slowly, but grew into the game and their goal spurred them on to even more in the way of attacking play. Peru spent a lot of the first half in the French end, but their lack of finishing continues to let them down. We will return shortly for the second half.
45' The fourth official signals for two minutes of stoppage time.
43' France with some delightful passing and it falls to Hernandez, who sees his first shot stopped by Gallese and steers his rebound wide!
42' Peru will have to open things up more as they did against Denmark as they search for an equalizer.
35' GOAL! Giroud's shot is blocked, but it deflects to Mbappe, who has the simplest of tap-ins to give France the lead!
34' Pogba with a lovely ball played over the top to Mbappe, but Gallese nervously brings it in!
31' Guerrero with a clear sight of goal, denied by the left foot of Lloris!
30' Neither team with much in the way of attack in the last few minutes.
24' Flores with a terribly disappointing shot on the ensuing free kick.
22' Umtiti takes down Guerrero and Peru have a free kick. The captain of La Blanquirroja receives a yellow card as the two have words.
20' Free kick for Peru from a tight angle on the left, but Rodriguez fouls Umtiti in the box.
17' First yellow card of the game is shown to Matuidi.
16' France with some neat build-up play, but no call in the area as Mbappe is taken down!
15' Les Blues with another corner that floats harmlessly out of play.
14' First corner kick of the game goes to Les Blues, but nothing comes of it.
12' Pogba unleashes, but his shot is just to the right of Gallese! France seem to be settling in now.
11' Griezmann is sent through down the right but his shot is disappointing to say the least.
10' Rodriguez bounces in a shot (which may have been intended as a pass) that Lloris gathers easily.
9' france play the ball into the Peru box, but nothing comes of it.
6' A very hopeful effort by Guerrero from almost the halfway line.
4' Peru already with their third throw-in of the match.
3' A nice spell of possession for the South Americans in the France half.
1' Peru on the ball for the first time and they win a throw-in.
1' France kick us off and we are underway.
The teams are walking out of the tunnel and onto the Ekaterinburg Arena pitch.
Les Blues are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup matches against South American sides.
Peru need a result to stay in contention for a place in the knockout rounds whilst France can wrap up a last 16 spot with a victory today.
Peru starting XI: Gallese, Advincula, Ramos, Rodriguez, Trauco, Aquino, Yotun, Carrillo, Cueva, Flores, Guerrero
France starting XI: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Mbappe, Griezmann, Matuidi, Giroud
We are less than 50 minutes from kickoff in Ekaterinburg and should have the starting XI for each team shortly.
With both sides almost certain to be fired up, and still with a lot to play for, we should be in for a fiery, fierce and very lively game between two very attacking sides
Whilst Peru need the three points more, France will be determined to put in a better performance than they did last time out, both to practically guarantee their spot in the knockout stages of the competition, as well as make a statement to the world that they are one of the best teams in this competition, and are serious contenders that should be feared.
Last time out for Peru, it is clear that the main problem was sticking the ball in the back of the net, and this wasn’t helped by the poor start to the tournament from Jefferson Farfan, who lead the line from the off in their opener. Due to Farfan’s underwhelming display, there is a high chance that head-coach Ricardo Gareca could opt to deploy the nations all-time top goalscorer from the off, Paolo Guerrero, who was very impressive once coming off the bench against the Danes, and was very unfortunate not to snatch an equaliser.
Paul Pogba was named Man of the Match in their opener against Australia last Saturday, and will be hoping to keep up his good form to further boost his reputation, and show the world that he is worthy of the high level of hype around his name.
This game will be France starlet Antoine Griezmann’s first since signing a new deal with his club, Atlético Madrid, designating his future to the club until 2023 – leaving him free to concentrate on his nation free from speculation over his future, which will surely only benefit the Euro 2016 finalists.
Due to matchday one results, it goes without saying that Peru are the side most desperately in need of a victory, as if they do lose to Deschamps’ men, and Denmark beat Australia, their first World Cup campaign since 1982 will already be over. A victory for France would all but confirm their spot in the last 16 of the competition.
The Peruvians had the exact opposite problem to France, playing very well in their group opener against Denmark, however, somehow leaving the game with nothing, due to an inspired performance from Kasper Schmeichel, as well as a lot of bad luck.
France got off to a less than convincing start to this year’s World Cup, as they narrowly beat Australia thanks to a late freak own goal, as well as a dodgy penalty – a less than convincing display from Didier Deschamps so-called ‘golden generation.’
Les Bleus and La Blanquirroja have only ever faced off once before, in a friendly in 1982, and on that occasions it was the South-American’s that came out on top, winning the game 1-0.
Hello and welcome to VAVEL UK's live minute-by-minute match coverage and commentary. Today, Thursday 21st June, sees France face off with Peru in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This afternoon's game kicks off at 16:00 GMT. Until then - we'll have plenty of pre-match build-up and analysis from John Lupo and Josh Slinger. Make sure you stay following for updates.