Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal from the penalty spot as France beat Paraguay 1-0 in their World Cup last-16 tie at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, played under an Extreme Heat Warning. The result sends France through to face Morocco in the quarter-finals.
France dominate the first half without finding a breakthrough. They control 90 per cent of possession inside the opening ten minutes and win seven corners before the break, but Paraguay’s low block holds firm. Bradley Barcola picks up a yellow card in the 19th minute, and tempers flare in the 39th when Mbappe and Andres Cubas clash following a foul.
Paraguay make an early change after the break, replacing Julio Enciso with Facundo Caballero in the 60th minute. Enciso, still short of full fitness, had spent the half chasing long balls with little end product.
France win their penalty in the 67th minute after Desire Doue goes down under a challenge from Diego Gomez. The referee checks the pitchside monitor and awards the spot-kick. Mbappe steps up and sends Gill the wrong way, rolling the ball low into the corner.
The goal is Mbappe’s 11th at World Cup knockout stage, a new all-time record ahead of Brazil’s Leonidas and Ronaldo, who each scored eight. It also takes his tournament tally to seven, level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, and it stands as France’s 150th World Cup goal.
Paraguay respond by pushing men forward, shifting from a 5-4-1 to a 4-2-3-1, but they create little. Substitute Mauricio drives a low shot straight at Mike Maignan in the 90th minute. Manu Kone picks up a yellow card in the 82nd minute for a foul on Juan Jose Caceres, the game’s only booking for either side inside 90 minutes.
France see out ten added minutes despite mounting Paraguayan pressure and gamesmanship, including appeals for a penalty when Jules Kounde goes down near goal. Gill produces a fine double save to deny Mbappe in stoppage time, keeping the margin at a single goal. Paraguay finish the match without a single yellow card, an unusual outcome given the number of fouls they commit throughout.
France advance to the quarter-finals to face Morocco, their attacking edge again resting on Mbappe at the decisive moment.
