Mbappe penalty sends France past stubborn Paraguay into World Cup quarter-finals

Kylian Mbappe’s second-half penalty spared France’s blushes as the World Cup favourites edged a dogged Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia to reach the quarter-finals.

Substitute Desire Doue won the decisive spot-kick in sweltering 38C heat after being brought down by Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez inside the box. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev awarded the penalty following a VAR review.

Mbappe stepped up and sent Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill the wrong way to seal victory and move to seven goals in the tournament, level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, reports the BBC.

France dominated possession from kickoff but found Paraguay’s defence impenetrable for long spells. Frustration boiled over in the 36th minute when Mbappe lashed out after a foul by Andres Cubas.

Gustavo Alfaro’s Paraguay, who stunned Germany on penalties in the last 32, held firm through a cagey first half that ended without a shot on target from either side.

Didier Deschamps’ side showed more urgency after the break. Manu Kone forced Gill’s first save with a long-range effort in the 54th minute, France’s first on target.

The breakthrough came only after PSG forward Doue replaced Bradley Barcola on the left. Four minutes after coming on, the 21-year-old drove into the area, beat his marker, and drew the foul from Gomez that led to Mbappe’s winner.

The victory keeps France’s bid for a third World Cup title on track. They will face the winner of the last-16 clash between Brazil and Japan in the quarter-finals.

Paraguay exit after a disciplined defensive display that frustrated Les Bleus for 70 minutes, but their lack of attacking threat left them unable to test Mike Maignan in the France goal.

Kickoff temperature of 38C made conditions brutal, yet France’s depth proved the difference as Doue’s impact off the bench unlocked the contest.

Mbappe now has seven goals in the tournament, matching Messi and keeping France’s hopes of back-to-back World Cups alive.

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