Kylian Mbappé’s 70th-minute penalty clinched a tense 1-0 victory for France against Paraguay in their last-16 clash at the World Cup 2026. With this win, France progresses to face Morocco in the quarter-finals, as Mbappé notched his seventh goal of this tournament, surpassing Lionel Messi in the scoring charts.
The crucial penalty came after a Video Assistant Referee review determined that Diego Gomez had fouled substitute Desire Doue. With this goal, Mbappé also celebrated France’s landmark 150th goal in World Cup history. Despite their efforts, Paraguay was repeatedly let off the hook by referee Ilgiz Tantashev, who overlooked several fouls, including a notably cynical kick from Juan Jose Caceres on Mbappé after the goal.
France navigates a testing battle against Paraguay
France’s victory was not straightforward; La Albirroja employed a robust game plan to limit the Bleus to fewer scoring chances in the first half. Despite their aggressive tactics, including apparent time-wasting, Paraguay struggled to maintain discipline throughout, escaping any bookings. Manu Kone, however, tested goalkeeper Orlando Gill with a sharp long-range effort, pushing the match into a nail-biting conclusion.
Post-match tensions highlight Paraguay’s tactics
Former Scotland international Pat Nevin remarked on Paraguay’s tactical approach, suggesting they utilised “every single dark art you can use” to unsettle France. Joe Hart labelled their approach a “disgrace,” highlighting the lack of action against them by the officials. Following the whistle, players from both sides clashed near the centre circle, adding yet another chapter to a match filled with tension.
Looking ahead: France’s next challenge
With the victory, France prepares for a quarter-final showdown in Boston against Morocco, who advanced after defeating Canada 3-0. Given their strong showing thus far, France will aim to assert their dominance and continue their pursuit of World Cup glory.
The SportiveNews view
This result underscores France’s resilience amidst rugged opposition from Paraguay. Despite concerns over their discipline, the Bleus managed to navigate the challenge, showcasing Mbappé’s pivotal role as they advance. Facing Morocco now presents another real test, but France’s previous form could strengthen their ambitions in this tournament.
Frequently asked questions
What was the outcome of the match between France and Paraguay?
France won 1-0 against Paraguay, with Kylian Mbappé scoring the decisive penalty in the 70th minute, allowing France to progress to the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2026.
How did Kylian Mbappé perform in this match?
Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the match, a penalty that marked his seventh goal of the World Cup 2026 and made him the top scorer, surpassing Lionel Messi.
Match statistics
- France has achieved 16 victories in their last 19 World Cup matches since 2018.
- Didier Deschamps has now recorded the most World Cup victories as a manager, with a total of 19.
- During this tournament, Michael Olise has provided five assists, closing in on Pelé’s record of six assists in a single World Cup.
Source: Based on reporting from 101 Great Goals. SportiveNews rewrote and analysed the story independently for football readers.
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