France successfully passed their most difficult test of the group stage and willed their way to a 3-2 victory over Mali. The result sent them into the Round of 16 as Group E victors.

Mickael Cuisance opened the scoring for France in the 12th minute. The Borussia Monchengladbach product fired a long, left-footed effort past a diving Youssouf Koita.

Two minutes later, however, Mali's Sekou Koita responded with a left-footed strike of his own to equalise.

The second half was evenly balanced until a handball by Abdoulaye Diaby earned France a penalty. Moussa Diaby approached the spot with confidence and converted his attempt to regain the lead.

Amine Gouiri made it 3-1 with a finessed shot into the near-side netting in the 87th minute, before fellow substitute Ousmane Diakite got Mali's second with virtually the last kick of the game.

France will face the USA in Bydgoszcz in the Round of 16.