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France has reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Paraguay 1-0 in their Round of 16 clash on Saturday.
Footballer Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Désiré Doué was fouled inside the box.
Paraguay frustrated the French attack for much of the game, forcing Les Bleus to work hard for the breakthrough in front of 68,324 fans in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached 38°C (100°F).
Despite dominating possession, France struggled to create clear chances as Paraguay defended with discipline and limited the tournament favourites.
Mbappé’s goal was enough to secure victory and take his tally to seven goals at the tournament, putting him level with Lionel Messi as the competition’s joint-leading scorer.
The Real Madrid forward has now scored 19 World Cup goals in 19 appearances, leaving him just one goal behind Messi’s overall World Cup record of 20.
France coach Didier Deschamps saw his side overcome a stubborn Paraguay team that managed its first shot on target only in the 90th minute.
France will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals next Thursday after Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 earlier in the day.
The match was played on the 250th anniversary of the United States‘ Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, with a pre-match celebration that included a performance of the US national anthem by actress Idina Menzel, a show by hip-hop group The Roots, and a US Air Force flyover.
Paraguay had hoped to pull off another upset after eliminating Germany on penalties in the previous round, but France’s quality eventually proved decisive as they moved one step closer to another World Cup title.
