Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half penalty to send France into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Paraguay, tying Lionel Messi on seven goals in the Golden Boot race. The French side, considered one of the tournament favourites alongside Argentina, laboured to a narrow victory in the sweltering Philadelphia heat.
France Struggle to Break Down Paraguay
France had plundered at least three goals in each of their group games, but Paraguay smothered their superstars in the first half, restricting Mbappe, Michael Olise and Co to an expected goals (xG) of just 0.15. Paraguay, who stunned Germany in the group stage, defended resolutely and kept France at bay until the break.
After the interval, France upped the ante. Ousmane Dembele drilled into the side netting from an acute angle from a quickly taken corner, and Orlando Gill produced a sublime save to thwart Manu Kone. The breakthrough came when Desire Doue made a sublime run into the penalty area, twisting through red and white shirts before being brought down by Diego Gomez.
Mbappe's Penalty Decides the Game
Mbappe stepped up from 12 yards, stuttering and sending Gill the wrong way to tie Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. Both are on seven goals apiece, just one shy of the tally that landed Mbappe the same prize four years ago in Qatar. A top-class double save from Gill prevented Mbappe from notching another in added time.
Tempers flared after the goal as Paraguay's players attempted to bludgeon their opponents into submission, with Mbappe on the receiving end of some meaty challenges throughout. Most were either missed or dismissed by referee Ilgiz Tantashev, who offered little protection to Mbappe, who seemed to be targeted by Paraguay players seeking to provoke him in the final moments.
France Advance to Quarter-Finals
France would not rise to the bait, though, and ground out a result that lands them a date with Morocco in the tournament quarter-finals. According to Daniel Marsh, Senior Sports Reporter, France at their brilliant best has been a sight to behold, but they struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Paraguay side.
