World Cup: France edges Peru, qualifies for knockout stage

YEKATERINBURG -- Kylian Mbappe scored in the 34th minute and France held off Peru 1-0 in Group C action at the FIFA World Cup in Russia on Thursday.

At 19 years and six months, Mbappe became the youngest footballer in France history to record a goal at the World Cup. Mbappe was named best player of the France-Peru match.

France has scored six points in two matches, which qualifies it for the knockout stage. It is the third team to have qualified for the 1/8 finals, following Russia and Uruguay.

Meanwhile, Peru lost its chances to make it to the knockout stage after losing each of its first two matches. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Morocco failed to make it out of the group stage as well.

France is leading Group C with six points. Denmark, which ended the match with Australia in a 1-1 draw earlier on Thursday, places second with four points. Team Australia comes in third with one point.

France will face Denmark in Moscow next, while Peru will take on Australi in Sochi. Both matches are scheduled for Tuesday.