Perfect record for France

A frenetic opening to the match saw three goals scored by the midway point of the first half at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, with Honduras taking an early lead against the run of play through Carlos Mejia. Though it made nine changes for Saturday’s game, France started the encounter brightly and did not let the central Americans’ opener affect them. 

Four minutes after Mejia’s strike, Wilson Isidor finished off a fine Bleuets move to draw level. Isidor then turned provider for France’s second in the 23rd minute, seeing his cross neatly struck home by Alexis Flips. The French found another gear after the break, creating numerous chances to extend their lead. 

In the 64th minute, Flips doubled his tally, assuring Claudio Gomes’s goal-bound effort found the back of the empty net. Amine Gouiri scored before Yacine Adli powered home a free-kick to seal victory for Europeans and set up a Round of 16 clash with neighbours Spain.  

Japan was made to pay by plucky New Caledonia, although the 1-1 draw in Kolkata was enough to qualify them for the Round of 16. Keito Nakamura scored his fourth goal of the competition early in the first half, and Jekob Jeno equalised dramatically in the 83rd minute for New Caledonia.