Kylian Mbappe’s penalty lifts France past Paraguay into quarterfinals
France advance to meet Morocco next Thursday in Foxborough, Mass., in a rematch of the 2022 semifinal that ended in a 2-0 French victory
July 05, 2026 02:41
PHILADELPHIA: Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot for his 19th World Cup goal and seventh of this tournament as France outlasted Paraguay to reach the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory on Saturday in a steamy round of 16 encounter.
With the penalty, earned by substitute Desire Doue’s slaloming run into the area, Mbappe scored in the 70th minute to pull even with Argentina’s Lionel Messi atop the 2026 Golden Boot leaderboard and move within one of the 39-year-old for the all-time World Cup goals lead.
