For their second match in the competition, the French team faces Peru, who have qualified for the first time since 1986. An inexperienced opponent but one capable of posing problems for Les Bleus.
Just take a look at Peru’s performance against Denmark to realize it: the Peruvians know how to play football. Certainly, a significant lack of efficiency forced the South Americans to concede an inaugural defeat… Nonetheless, Cueva, Guerrero, Farfan, Carrillo: the threat came from all sides at Kasper Schmeichel’s goal. As a result, 17 shots, 6 on target… and a missed penalty due to trembling legs, those of Christian Cueva.
The Danes were efficient with a touch of luck, but against France, the Peruvians will be ready. They delivered a solid collective performance with 53% ball possession and 81% pass completion rate, only lacking efficiency despite 15 chances… Lloris and company will need to be prepared.
And while the defense needs to prepare for a lively attack from the opposition, Griezmann, Mbappé, and likely Giroud will also have to brace themselves for 90 long minutes. Usually organized in a 4-4-2 formation, the Peruvian lineup easily varies in defensive phases. Positioned to play deep to lure the opponent’s offensive players before striking at their feet, the Peruvian defenders won about 70% of their duels in the first match.
Peru lost their first match, Peru is not the favorite in the group, Peru is not the favorite against the French team: Peru has everything to gain. It’s hard to base predictions on this, but La Blancarroja currently boasts a 100% victory rate against Les Bleus. In a friendly match in 1982, the Incas came to beat the French on their own soil (1-0)… so far, it is the only encounter between the two teams.
While France (struggled) to secure a victory against Australia, the Peruvians put on a better performance against the Danes: despite the unfavorable result, confidence is there, and cameras are more often focused on Mbappé, Griezmann, and Pogba than on Advinculla, Yotun, and Cueva: an outsider position that Ricardo Gareca’s players used to eliminate Paraguay, Ecuador, and especially Chile during the qualification phases.
The probable lineup for the French team against Peru:
Lloris – Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez – Kanté, Pogba – Mbappé, Griezmann, Matuidi – Giroud
