Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 6y

France showed needed 'discipline' in World Cup win against Peru - Hugo Lloris

France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris praised Peru for their effort and called the match like playing an away game after Les Bleus won 1-0 in Yekaterinburg on Thursday to move to the top of Group C and confirm the South Americans exit before the round of 16.

Kylian Mbappe's first-half strike secured all three points for the French and Lloris, who made an excellent low save to deny opposing captain Paolo Guerrero in the first half, admitted that the Peruvians did not give up without a fight.

"Peru were aggressive, as we expected them to be," the Tottenham Hotspur keeper told journalists in the mixed zone at Central Stadium. "We were solid and managed to stay calm and lucid in the key moments -- we mastered those.

"It was a great collective display overall -- we were very disciplined. In these matches, you have to know how to win 1-0 and stay strong, even at difficult moments.

"We remained focused, even if Peru did their best to unsettle us -- to be honest, it was like playing away from home and it was actually nice."

Lloris, 31, was particularly pleased that France are now capable of playing with discipline, which has previously been their undoing.

"Everyone deserves congratulations," he added. "We have found a disciplined France and that bodes well for the future."

France coach Didier Deschamps was happy with the result as well, even if the performance left a bit to be desired, and revealed that his team's goal now is to secure top spot in the group with a match against Denmark yet to play.

"We suffered in the second half," the French tactician told TF1 post-match. "There was rhythm, but we found it hard getting out and when we were in possession, we did not keep hold of it for long.

"That said, Peru are a good team. A second win, so we have qualified, which was our aim. We are very satisfied with what the players did here.

"First place is obviously the objective, but we will also enjoy ourselves. We have won two matches, which is something that not everybody has been able to do, but we will not get too carried away -- there is the third game to think about."

Blaise Matuidi and Olivier Giroud were restored to the starting XI and the Juventus man played an important role in the victory -- even if that was not down to his technique.

"Do not ask me to dribble like Kylian," Matuidi joked with BeIn Sports. "However, the coach knows that well.

"It is satisfying. Two matches, two wins, we are really happy -- even if we know that we can do better in games.

"Peru were good, and we struggled in the second half. They were encouraged by a great crowd -- it was like we were the away team. We know we can improve and that is the direction we are trying to head in."

N'Golo Kante was particularly impressive for the French and midfield partner Paul Pogba led the praise for the Chelsea man.

"I think that everybody was very, very good," Pogba said. "N'Golo makes it easy to play football -- it is like he has 15 lungs! I am surrounded by great talents."

Lloris echoed Pogba's words, calling Kante "a leader in his own way" and "so valuable in terms of keeping the ball and winning it back."

Left-back Lucas Hernandez gushed at how "amazing" it is to play alongside Kante and hopes that his good form will continue.

"N'Golo is everywhere!" said the Atletico Madrid man. "Suddenly, he rises from the pitch [laughing]. He wins you back I do not know how many balls each match -- I hope that he keeps this up.

"We know how important N'Golo is, and he did a great job here."

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