Didier Deschamps has hailed Kylian Mbappe after his match-winning goal saw France into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory against Peru on Thursday.
The 19-year-old became France’s youngest scorer at a World Cup when he prodded into an empty net on 34 minutes. He did not shirk his defensive duties either, providing extra cover in a tough second half as Peru attacked relentlessly.
“He’s got great qualities and he was able to show his pace today. I don’t think he sacrificed himself by defending. He just did what the team needed him to do. I’m very happy with his performance today,” Deschamps told a news conference.