France managed to squeeze through into the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after clinching a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16 match on Saturday 4 July, 2026 at Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, United States (US).
Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus were made to suffer by the White and Red before they emerged victorious as they failed to record a shot on target in an exasperating first half.
It was Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappe, who netted the goal from the penalty spot to rescue France and hand the European side their spot in the last 8 of the tournament.
The Frenchmen were hindered to very few opportunities by the Paraguayans, however, the goal came after substitute Desire Doue, who plays for Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG), was fouled inside the box by Diego Gomez, who fields for Brighton and Hove Albion, and after the intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), referee Ilgiz Tantashev, from Uzbekistan, pointed to the spot.
Mbappe stepped forward and took the penalty, and sent goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, the other way, taking France to the next phase of the tournament.
With the goal, Mbappe has now drawn level with Argentina forward, Lionel Messi, on seven (7) goals in the race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot.
Despite temperature in Philadelphia reaching 38C, France were not perturbed as they dominated the showdown from start to finish, however, the defense of the South American side proved extremely rock hard to break down.
The Les Bleus found that moment after Doue came on to replace Bradley Barcola on the left flank. Doue, twenty-one (21) years of age, charged into the box, wriggled through a Paraguay defender before being brought down by Gomez.
In the first Round of 16 match, Morocco made light work of co-hosts, Canada, 3-0, on Saturday evening at Houston Stadium in Houston, US.
France and Morocco will now do battle in the quarter finals of the tournament on Thursday 9 July, 2026 at 21:00 (WAT) at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, United States (US).
Photo: Kylian Mbappe celebrates goal with teammates for France against Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match on Saturday in Philadelphia, US
