France booked a place in the World Cup quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay, extending Les Bleus’ run to a fourth consecutive appearance in the last eight. Kylian Mbappé once again proved decisive, scoring the only goal of the match to take his World Cup tally to 19.
Paraguay attempted to unsettle Mbappé and his teammates throughout the contest, using physical challenges and trying to provoke confrontations. The France forward, however, responded with smiles and laughter instead of losing his composure during one of the hottest matches ever played at a World Cup.
The tension continued after the final whistle. As Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill reached out to shake Mbappé’s hand, the French captain walked past without stopping. Gill then reacted by throwing the ball toward the number 10 on Mbappé’s shirt.
The decisive moment arrives from the spot
Played under an extreme heat warning, the match took place with temperatures close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius), creating difficult conditions for both teams. Paraguay remained disciplined defensively and frustrated France for much of the encounter.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute when Mbappé converted a penalty to settle the contest. His strike secured France’s progression after a match in which chances were limited against determined opposition.
Reflecting on the performance, Mbappé said France had expected exactly that type of battle. He explained that his team were prepared for a physical contest and were capable of matching Paraguay’s approach, adding that anyone expecting France to play elegantly had underestimated their willingness to fight for the result.
The quarterfinal awaits
The victory sends France into the quarterfinals, where they will face Morocco on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
France and Morocco also met in the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a match won 2-0 by Les Bleus. This time, France will again look to continue their tournament after overcoming Paraguay in difficult conditions.