Kylian Mbappé scores again and France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 1-0 win over Paraguay

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 23:24:00 +0000

France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates his team victory at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Kylian Mbappé scored his 19th career World Cup goal, and France survived stifling heat to beat Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday (July 4, 2026), sending Les Bleus into the quarterfinals for the fourth straight time.

France advanced to play Morocco on Thursday (July 9, 2026) in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

With an extreme heat warning in effect throughout the match as temperatures hovered around 38°C, Mbappé finally broke through against a physical, defensive-minded Paraguay side when he converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute.

That was enough for Les Bleus, whose red, white and blue-clad fans looked plenty patriotic on July Fourth in Philadelphia, where the United States was founded exactly 250 years earlier.

Mbappé was awarded the penalty when Diego Gomez was called for tripping after a video review. Then he stutter-stepped on his way to his 19th goal in 19 World Cup appearances, one behind career record holder Lionel Messi of Argentina. Mbappé and Messi each have seven goals in this tournament to top the Golden Boot race.

Mbappé won that award four years ago in Qatar, but Messi and Argentina beat France in the final.

Mbappé botched a breakaway attempt in the second half, and Manu Koné had his top-corner shot knocked away by goalkeeper Orlando Gill after he was wiped out in the netting by Ousmane Dembélé only moments earlier.

Gill also stopped two strong attempts by Mbappé in second-half stoppage time.

Published – July 05, 2026 04:53 am IST

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Paraguay VS France FIFA World Cup LIVE Round of 16: France faces Paraguay in Philly heat

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:39:00 +0000

France’s Kylian Mbappe during the warm up before the match FIFA World Cup Round of 16 ,match against Paraguay in Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. – July 4, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Imagn Images via REUTERS

France coach Didier Deschamps made one change to the ‌team that beat Sweden 3-0 in ⁠the previous round, bringing Manu Kone into midfield in ‌place of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni for ‌Saturday’s (July 4, 2026) World Cup ‌last-16 ⁠clash against Paraguay.

Also read | Morocco beat World Cup co-host Canada 3-0 and advances to the quarterfinals

Tchouameni out with thigh injury, French sports daily L’Equipe reported on Friday (July 3, 2026).

Kone will be paired with Adrien Rabiot behind France’s four-pronged attack.

Paraguay line up in likely to be an 5-4-1 ultra defensive formation.

The winner will face ⁠Morocco in Boston on July 9.

Teams:

Paraguay – Orlando ‌Gill; Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez (captain), Gustavo Velazquez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso; Miguel Almiron, Diego Gomez, Andres Cubas, ‌Matias Galarza; Julio Enciso

France – Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, ⁠Lucas Digne; Manu Kone, ⁠Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Bradley ‌Barcola; Kylian Mbappe (captain)

(Inputs from Reuters)

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France vs Paraguay – Artifex.News

Kylian Mbappé scores again and France reaches World Cup quarterfinals with 1-0 win over Paraguay

Paraguay VS France FIFA World Cup LIVE Round of 16: France faces Paraguay in Philly heat