World Cup: France edge past Paraguay to set up Morocco quarter-final
France are into the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty proved decisive for Les Bleus, who will now face Morocco in the last eight.
Didier Deschamps’ side were made to suffer in testing conditions, with intense heat slowing the rhythm of the game and Paraguay defending deep from the opening whistle. France dominated possession early on but struggled to create clear chances against a compact Albirroja block.
Adrien Rabiot, the former Olympique de Marseille midfielder, was often found high up the pitch, while Manu Koné provided France’s biggest threat from distance. The Roma midfielder went close midway through the first half before seeing another effort tipped over by Orlando Gill after the break.
Mbappé pen the difference
Mbappé also threatened before the interval, but Les Bleus lacked precision in the final third. Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola all looked to unlock the Paraguayan defence, without finding the final pass.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute. Désiré Doué, introduced from the bench, burst into the area and was brought down after a VAR check. Mbappé kept his composure from the spot, sending Gill the wrong way to put France ahead.
Paraguay pushed late on and forced Mike Maignan into action, notably through Mauricio in the closing stages. But France held firm during a tense finale, with Gill denying Mbappé twice in stoppage time to prevent the French captain from adding a second.
It was far from comfortable, but Les Bleus are through. After eliminating Paraguay, France will now meet Morocco in a mouth-watering quarter-final.
READ MORE:
