World Cup favourites France survived a serious scare to succeed in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a cussed Paraguay aspect in Philadelphia.
Regardless of dominating possession all through the competition, Didier Deschamps’ males struggled to interrupt down a disciplined Paraguay defence that annoyed the two-time world champions for lengthy intervals in sweltering circumstances.
The last-16 encounter was performed in excessive warmth, with temperatures reaching 38°C, however France started brightly and managed a lot of the ball. Nevertheless, Paraguay, managed by Gustavo Alfaro, remained organised and denied Les Bleus any clear alternatives.
Frustration began to point out within the first half, with Mbappe reacting angrily after a problem from Andres Cubas as each groups went into the break with out registering a single shot on the right track.
France emerged with larger intent after the restart and at last examined goalkeeper Orlando Gill within the 54th minute when Manu Kone’s long-range effort pressured a save.
The breakthrough ultimately arrived after a tactical change by Deschamps. Substitute Want Doue, launched on the left flank, made a right away impression by driving into the penalty space and beating his marker earlier than Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez introduced him down.
Following a VAR assessment, referee Ilgiz Tantashev awarded the penalty, and Mbappe calmly despatched Gill the flawed solution to rating the decisive objective and e-book France’s place within the final eight.
The strike additionally noticed the France captain draw degree with Argentina legend Lionel Messi on seven objectives within the race for the event’s Golden Boot.
Paraguay, who had surprised Germany on penalties within the earlier spherical, as soon as once more confirmed outstanding defensive resilience and physicality, making life troublesome for one of many event favourites.
The match turned solely the third World Cup knockout fixture since 1966 to succeed in half-time with out both aspect managing a shot on the right track, underlining the South Individuals’ defensive self-discipline.
Nevertheless, as they’ve carried out all through the event, France discovered a approach by way of when it mattered most. Mbappe’s penalty continued his outstanding World Cup file, taking his tally to 19 objectives in simply 20 appearances on the competitors.
For Deschamps, the victory carried echoes of France’s earlier World Cup assembly with Paraguay in 1998, when Laurent Blanc’s golden objective despatched the hosts into the quarter-finals earlier than they ultimately lifted their first world title.
Twenty-eight years later, Deschamps, now main from the dugout relatively than midfield, will hope this slim victory proves to be one other step in the direction of World Cup glory.
