Kylian Mbappe’s decisive penalty powers France into World Cup quarterfinals against Morocco next.
Philadelphia
Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal from the penalty spot as France edged Paraguay 1-0 in a hard-fought FIFA World Cup round-of-16 clash, booking a place in the quarterfinals where they will face Morocco.
Mbappe calmly converted in the 70th minute after substitute Désiré Doué won a penalty with a dazzling run into the box, giving France the breakthrough they desperately needed against a disciplined Paraguayan defence in sweltering conditions.
The goal was Mbappe’s seventh of the 2026 tournament and his 19th in World Cup history, drawing him level with Lionel Messi atop the Golden Boot standings while moving him within one goal of Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record.
Despite dominating possession, France struggled to break down Paraguay for much of the contest. The South Americans defended resolutely and frustrated Didier Deschamps’ side throughout the first half, limiting clear-cut opportunities while coping admirably with temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Paraguay’s resistance began to fade after Doué replaced Bradley Barcola in the 61st minute. The youngster immediately injected pace and creativity into France’s attack, repeatedly troubling defenders with his direct running.
His decisive contribution came when he drove into the penalty area and was brought down by Diego Gómez. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev initially waved play on before being advised by the Video Assistant Referee to review the incident. After consulting the pitch-side monitor, he awarded the penalty.
Mbappe showed no signs of pressure, sending goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way with a composed finish into the bottom-right corner.
Paraguay, who had stunned Germany on penalties in the previous round, pushed forward in search of an equaliser during the closing stages but rarely threatened. Substitute Mauricio registered their first shot on target only in the 90th minute.
France, meanwhile, looked more likely to extend their advantage. Gill denied Mbappe a second goal late in the match and produced two more important saves during stoppage time to keep Paraguay’s hopes alive until the final whistle.
The victory sends France into a quarterfinal showdown against Morocco national football team in Foxborough, a repeat of their 2022 World Cup semifinal, which France won 2-0.
For Paraguay, the defeat ends an inspiring campaign that included a memorable penalty shootout victory over Germany. Although they fell short of matching their historic quarterfinal appearance in 2010, their spirited performances throughout the tournament earned widespread admiration.
