Kylian Mbappe celebrating his winner
France national football team booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay national football team in Philadelphia.
Tournament favourites France dominated possession from the opening whistle but struggled to break down a disciplined Paraguay defence, with both sides failing to register a shot on target in a tightly contested first half played in sweltering 38°C conditions.
Paraguay, who stunned Germany on penalties in the previous round, frustrated the two-time world champions with a compact defensive display that limited clear-cut opportunities.
France’s frustration was evident before the break when Mbappé reacted angrily after a challenge from Andrés Cubas.
The breakthrough eventually came in the second half after France increased the tempo. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was first called into action in the 54th minute, denying Manu Koné’s long-range effort before substitute Désiré Doué changed the course of the match.
Just four minutes after coming on, the 21-year-old attacker surged into the penalty area and skipped past a defender before being brought down by Diego Gómez. Following a VAR review, referee Ilgiz Tantashev awarded the penalty.
Mbappé calmly converted from the spot, sending Gill the wrong way to score the decisive goal and seal France’s passage to the last eight. The strike also took the French captain to seven goals in the tournament, drawing level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot.
France will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of a third FIFA World Cup title.