Kylian Mbappé scored a 70th-minute penalty to guide France into the World Cup quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a physical Paraguay side amid a brutal heatwave.
The Round of 16 clash, played on the 250th anniversary of American independence at Lincoln Financial Field, saw temperatures hover around 100°F (38°C). Les Bleus dominated possession but struggled to break down Paraguay’s stubborn, defensive 5-4-1 formation in a heated first half marred by standard fouls and pushing.
The breakthrough came in the second half when substitute Désiré Doué was tripped in the box by Diego Gomez. Following a VAR review, Mbappé coolly converted the penalty, sending Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way.
The goal marks Mbappé's 19th career World Cup goal in 19 appearances tying him with Lionel Messi for the tournament lead at seven goals. It also makes him the first player to score at least three goals in the knockout stages of three different World Cups.
Paraguay, who shocked Germany in the previous round, relied heavily on physical play, committing 13 fouls. Tempers boiled over after the final whistle when Gill threw the ball at Mbappé after the French captain ignored a handshake.
"We knew what kind of match it was going to be," Mbappé said. "If we have to get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We can play ugly football."
France, now 5-0 in the tournament advances to face Morocco on Thursday in Foxborough Massachusetts a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal.
