Mbappé Penalty Sends France Into World Cup Quarter-Finals Against Paraguay
Kylian Mbappé scored a 70th-minute penalty to give France a 1-0 win over a defensive-minded Paraguay in a heated Round of 16 clash, sending Les Bleus into the quarter-finals.
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France advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a Kylian Mbappé penalty in the 70th minute. The match, played in Philadelphia under heatwave conditions, saw Paraguay employ a physical, defensive strategy that tested France’s composure, according to Complete Sports.
Mbappé converted the decisive spot-kick after a foul on the French team, breaking a deadlock that had held for much of the game. Paraguay’s aggressive tactics succeeded in disrupting France’s rhythm for long stretches, but ultimately failed to prevent the European side from progressing. “We know how to play ugly football,” Mbappé said, acknowledging the nature of the contest.
Over 68,324 fans attended the match, where Paraguay’s efforts to unsettle France’s stars were effective until the penalty decision, Channels Television reported. The loss eliminates Paraguay from the tournament, alongside Canada, which also exited in the Round of 16, Vanguard News confirmed.
France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals, following Morocco’s own advancement. Manager Didier Deschamps maintained his composure throughout the match, as France weathered Paraguay’s provocation to secure their place in the last eight, Timeslive noted.