Kylian Mbappe of France competes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
PHILADELPHIA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as France defeated Paraguay 1-0 to book its place in the quarterfinals at FIFA World Cup here on Saturday.
In a game with few clear chances, Paraguay held firm in defence for 70 minutes before France finally broke the deadlock with a Mbappe penalty to go on and claim the win.
France reached the round of 16 after topping Group I with a perfect record, recording victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before defeating Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32.
Paraguay, meanwhile, advanced to the round of 16 by stunning four-time world champion Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.
Paraguay once again adopted a deep defensive approach, lining up in a 5-4-1 formation, while France, with its star-studded attacking lineup, dominated from the outset and kept its opponent pinned back in its own half.
France controlled most of the possession in the first half under the scorching sun, but produced very few threatening attempts on goal.
Adrien Rabiot and Manu Kone both tried their luck from distance in the 32nd and 42nd minutes respectively, but neither effort troubled the goalkeeper.
The turning point came in the 70th minute of the second half, when substitute France forward Desire Doue was brought down in the penalty area by Diego Gomez. After a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Kylian Mbappe converted to give France the lead.
Mbappe came close in stoppage time but could not double France's advantage.
France will meet Morocco in the quarterfinals, with the latter having beaten Canada 3-0 in another round of 16 fixture. ■
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France vies with Miguel Almiron of Paraguay during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Desire Doue (R) of France competes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France competes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe of France (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (1st L) of France celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Kylian Mbappe (L) of France, vies with Diego Gomez of Paraguay during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Starting players of France pose for a photo before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Ousmane Dembele (R) of France shoots during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France raises his foot to play a high ball during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Kylian Mbappe of France competes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Performers take part in a pre-match performance before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe of France (L) shoots a penalty kick and scores during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Junior Alonso of Paraguay takes a shot during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Mike Maignan (L), goalkeeper of France, vies with Gustavo Caballero of Paraguay during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Starting players of Paraguay pose for a photo before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Players of France celebrate a goal by Kylian Mbappe during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Performers take part in a pre-match performance before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (4th R) of France celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Referees, players of France and Paraguay enter the pitch before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (2nd L) of France shoots a penalty kick and scores during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Mike Maignan (L), goalkeeper of France, saves the ball during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe (R) of France celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Gustavo Alfaro, head coach of Paraguay, reacts during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Kylian Mbappe (2nd R) of France speaks with the referee during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Kylian Mbappe of France kicks the ball during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Desire Doue (L) of France jumps to challenge for the ball during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Players from both teams are involved in a confrontation as the referee intervenes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Miguel Almiron (R) of Paraguay competes during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Gustavo Alfaro (C), head coach of Paraguay, gives tactical instructions during a hydration break of the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Kylian Mbappe of France (L) celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Bradley Barcola (1st R) of France is shown a yellow card by Referee Ilgiz Tantashev during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Adrien Rabiot of France takes a shot during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Mike Maignan (1st R), goalkeeper of France, saves the ball during the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
Performers take part in a pre-match performance before the round of 16 match between France and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia, the United States, July 4, 2026. (Xinhua/Hu Xingyu)
