Paraguay 0-1 France: Mbappe penalty sends Les Bleus to quarters

How it unfolded

The match began with France asserting their dominance from the start. Les Bleus controlled the ball for 76% of the game, keeping Paraguay pinned in their own half. The French midfield dictated the tempo, with players like Antoine Griezmann and Adrien Rabiot probing for openings. Despite their possession, France found it difficult to break down a well-organized Paraguay defense. Paraguay, on the other hand, adopted a defensive approach, looking to hit on the counter. The first half ended goalless, with France having the majority of the chances but failing to convert. Paraguay managed only one shot on goal in the entire match, a reflection of their defensive mindset.

The decisive moments

The only goal of the game came in the 70th minute. France were awarded a penalty after a Paraguayan defender fouled an attacker inside the box. Kylian Mbappe, France's talisman, stepped up to take the spot kick. He sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, confidently placing the ball into the bottom corner. This goal proved to be the winner, as Paraguay could not find an equalizer. France continued to dominate possession after the goal, seeing out the game with relative ease. Les Bleus finished with 15 total shots, five of which were on target, while Paraguay managed just five shots and one on target.

What it means

France advance to the quarter-finals of World Cup 2026 with a hard-fought but deserved victory. Les Bleus will be pleased with their defensive solidity and ability to control the game, but they will need to be more clinical in front of goal in the later rounds. For Paraguay, the tournament ends in disappointment, but they can take pride in their defensive resilience. However, their lack of attacking threat – managing just five shots and one on target – was a major factor in their exit. France will now prepare for a quarter-final clash, while Paraguay must regroup and plan for the future.