Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty lifted France to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay in scorching heat Saturday, sending Les Bleus into a World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco.
France captain Mbappe coolly stroked in a 70th-minute spot-kick to settle a tense duel with the tough-tackling Paraguayans in furnace-like conditions at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.
The goal was Mbappe's seventh of the tournament, putting him alongside Argentina's Lionel Messi in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.
Paraguay, who pulled off a massive upset in the last 32 by ousting four-time champions Germany on penalties, frustrated France for long periods with an ultra-disciplined defensive effort.
But the introduction of substitute Desire Doue for left winger Bradley Barcola in the 61st minute led to the breakthrough.
