France 1-0 Paraguay: Kylian Mbappe penalty fires Les Bleus into World Cup quarter-finals
Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty was enough to send tournament favourites France into the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they overcame a stubborn, ultra-defensive Paraguay side in punishing Philadelphia heat.
The French captain broke the deadlock from the spot in the 70th minute after substitute Désiré Doué was brought down in the box, prompting a crucial VAR intervention. The goal marks Mbappé’s seventh of the tournament, pulling him level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings and extending his record-breaking tally to 19 goals in 19 career World Cup appearances.
Didier Deschamps’ side dominated possession with a staggering opening half, but struggled for long periods to break down a well-organised South American low block. Paraguay, who had dumped Germany out in the previous round, turned the game into a physical war of attrition, frustrating the star-studded French frontline in temperatures touching 38°C.
France found it difficult to generate clean openings until the introduction of Doué on the hour mark. The youngster injected immediate urgency on the left flank, driving into the penalty area before being upended by Diego Gómez. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev originally waved play on but reversed his decision after reviewing the pitchside monitor.
Paraguay poured forward in a frantic finale but French goalkeeper Mike Maignan marshalled his area expertly to preserve the clean sheet. At the other end, Paraguayan shot-stopper Orlando Gill produced a stunning string of double-saves in stoppage time to deny Mbappé a second.
France march on to the last eight where they will face Morocco on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, while a valiant Paraguay exit the world stage with their heads held high.
