PHILADELPHIA: France advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Paraguay 1-0 in their Round of 16 clash on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe converting a second-half penalty to seal the victory.
Mbappe scored from the spot in the 70th minute after substitute Désiré Doué won a penalty with a driving run into the box, sending Les Bleus into the last eight where they will face Morocco.
What milestone did Mbappe achieve?
Mbappe’s strike was his seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 19th of his World Cup career, drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
The goal also moved the French captain within one goal of Messi’s all-time FIFA World Cup scoring tally.
How did Paraguay challenge the tournament favourites?
Paraguay produced a disciplined defensive performance and frustrated France for much of the contest despite creating few opportunities in attack.
The South Americans remained organised throughout the first half and into the second before Doué’s introduction shifted the momentum in France’s favour.
Following the penalty, Paraguay pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but managed only one shot on target late in the match.
What did the managers say after the match?
France manager Didier Deschamps praised his team’s resilience against a determined Paraguayan side, saying the match had been physically demanding and difficult to break open.
Mbappe also acknowledged the challenging nature of the contest, saying France had been prepared for a physical encounter and adapted to the style of play.
Who will France face next?
France will meet Morocco in the quarter-finals next Thursday in a rematch of their 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final, which France won 2-0.
Morocco secured their place in the last eight after progressing from the Round of 16, setting up another high-profile meeting between the two sides.
How did Paraguay’s World Cup campaign end?
Paraguay exited the tournament after an impressive run that included a penalty shootout victory over Germany in the Round of 32.
Despite the defeat, the South Americans earned praise for their disciplined defending and competitive display against one of the tournament favourites, falling one match short of equalling their best-ever World Cup performance, a quarter-final appearance in 2010.