Mbappe penalty sinks Paraguay as France advance to World Cup quarter-finals on US Independence Day
Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half penalty to give France a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the World Cup last 16, moving level with Lionel Messi on seven goals in the Golden Boot race.
Match summary
France edged past a stubborn Paraguay side 1-0 in Philadelphia on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe converting a second-half penalty after a VAR review. The game kicked off in extreme heat of around 100°F (38°C) and was preceded by elaborate Independence Day celebrations, including fireworks and a flypast marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Neither side managed a shot on target in the opening 22 minutes, and the first half ended goalless amid a series of physical exchanges.
Paraguay's physical approach
Paraguay set out to frustrate the favourites with a low block and aggressive tactics that pushed the boundaries of the laws. Matias Galarza struck Mbappe in the chest off the ball in the first half, but referee Ilgiz Tantashev took no action and VAR did not intervene. The South Americans continued to play on the edge, and it took over an hour for the breakthrough to come when Diego Gomez fouled Desire Doue in the box. Tantashev reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and pointed to the spot.
- Match begins in 100°F (38°C) heat with Independence Day flypast and fireworks
- France register first shot; neither side hits the target
- Galarza strikes Mbappe off the ball, no card given
- Gomez fouls Doue in the box, referee awards penalty after VAR review
- Mbappe converts penalty for 1-0 lead
- Paraguay's first shot on target
- France win 1-0; Paraguay receive first yellow card after final whistle
Mbappe's Golden Boot chase
Mbappe rolled the penalty home for his seventh goal of the tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts. The France captain had already become the all-time leading marksman in World Cup knockout matches with 10 goals, and his third double of the competition in the previous round underlined his form. France have now scored 14 goals in five matches, conceding only twice.
What comes next
The 1-0 victory sets up a quarter-final against Morocco in Boston on July 9. The winner of that tie will face either Portugal, Spain, the United States or Belgium in the semi-finals. Paraguay exit the tournament after a resilient campaign that included a penalty shootout win over Germany in the last 32.
