Kylian Mbappé converted a second-half penalty to give France a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday in Philadelphia, sending the defending champions into the quarterfinals.
Match Decided by Penalty
Mbappé scored from the spot in the 58th minute after Paraguay's defender was penalized for a handball in the box. The goal was Mbappé's third of the tournament and his second consecutive game with a goal.
France controlled possession for much of the match but struggled to break down a disciplined Paraguay defense. The French had 12 shots, with five on target, while Paraguay managed only three shots total.
Defensive Effort
Paraguay's goalkeeper made several key saves to keep the score level until the penalty. France's defense held firm, not allowing a single shot on goal from Paraguay in the second half.
"We knew it would be a tough match, but we stayed focused and took our chance when it came," said France coach Didier Deschamps after the match.
Quarterfinal Opponent Awaits
France will now face the winner of the match between England and Senegal in the quarterfinals. The French are seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
Mbappé, who was the tournament's top scorer in 2022 with eight goals, continues to be the focal point of France's attack. His penalty was his 14th World Cup goal, moving him into a tie with Pelé for sixth on the all-time list.
