World Cup 2018: Ricardo Gareca pays tribute to Peru's army of travelling fans after exit

Peru's defeat to France on Thursday consigned them to a group stage exit

Ricardo Gareca thanked Peru's travelling fans for their support in Russia (Getty)

Ricardo Gareca, the Peru head coach, said he was sorry to the large numbers of Peruvians who travelled to Russia only to witness his side’s World Cup elimination after two games.

Peru’s 1-0 defeat to France in Ekaterinburg on Thursday meant they became the fourth side to exit the tournament at the group stage, having lost their opening Group C game to Denmark.

Despite their proactive pressing and adventurous attacking play, Peru’s fate was sealed with no goals and no points on the board.

Gareca could yet save face with a victory over Australia in the final round of group fixtures, but Kylian Mbappé’s first-half strike means no result in Sochi next week will see Peru progress to the last-16.

“The public were incredible and that is what really hurts,” Gareca said, paying tribute to the many thousands of have travelled to Russia.

“That we were unable to pay back this fervour, which the team awoke, and this multitude of people who followed us.

“I said before the tournament that everyone would be surprised with their passion, and their love for the team. We will do the impossible to try and give them a goal or a win to celebrate in our final match.”

Gareca added that, in their first World Cup since 1982, Peru had shown they can compete on equal terms with European teams.

“Obviously, we hoped it would turn out differently but, in general terms, the team gave everything they had on the pitch in both games,” he said. “I can’t reprimand the lads for anything.”

“We showed that the team can compete at this level, and that was our intention – to see how far we have progressed and where we are.”

Didier Deschamps, the France manager, praised Mbappé for his winning goal and all-round performance.

The 19-year-old became France’s youngest-ever scorer at an international tournament when he converted Olivier Giroud’s goalbound shot over the line in the 34th minute.

“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 said.