Kylian Mbappe’s clinical spot-kick finally broke Paraguay’s stubborn defensive wall in Philadelphia, securing a gritty victory and setting up a high-stakes semi-final rematch against a dangerous Morocco side.
Paraguay knew that if they were able to get to the final eight of the World Cup, they would have had to pull off one of the great World Cup upsets, as in their way was a France side who had obliterated every other side they had played before this encounter.
Both sides knew that a tie against an inform Morocco side awaited them if they were able to win; for France, this would set up a repeat of the 2022 semi-final. Paraguay had the chance to win their first knockout game in 16 years.
When the teams were announced, it was clear how the game was going to play out, with France lining up with the same dynamic front four of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise. Meanwhile, Paraguay lined up in a defensively compact 5-4-1, with their centre-back, Omar Alderete, returning from injury.
The first half could only be described as pedantic. La Albirroja were fine to keep all ten outfielders behind the ball, making him very difficult for Les Blues to break through, with the scorching heat of Philadelphia slowing France down.
This was all the first half was; Paraguay had an odd time where they got Miguel Almiron or Diego Gomez forward, but France always had the numbers to cover. Mbappe had the only real chance when a good Jules Kounde cross just evaded him. Frustrations started to grow apparent later on in the half, when tempers flared between Mbappe and Paraguay defender Juan Cáceres.
As the second half began, chances did start to open up more for Les Blues, with the first real opportunity coming when a direct Mike Maignan kick found Mbappe, who was one-on-one, but he took the ball down with his arm and was defended expertly by Gustavo Gomez. The game was opening up for Les Blues.
64 minutes in, finally the first real Paraguayan mistake was made, and Les Blues made sure to punish it. It was the substitute Desire Doué who had some magic footwork inside the box, and a clumsy challenge by Diego Gomez was initially waved away by referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
The replays showed an apparent foul and the Kazakhstani referee was instructed to go to the monitor by VAR, and he clearly saw his effort and was swift to change his ways, giving Les Blues the golden opportunity to get the opener. Despite La Albirroja trying every dirty trick in the book to distract Mbappe, it felt inevitable he was going to get his 19th World Cup goal. And he did, slotting in the right side sending Gill the wrong way.
La Albirroja reacted to conceding in a really disappointing way, going on to commit some very poor fouls and dangerous play, putting a dark light on what was a really bright performance.
Mbappe was given the chance to get his second, getting Paraguay caught on the counter, but an incredible double save by Gill denied him. But this highly feisty contest came to an end; Paraguay really ruined what was such a good World Cup run, with the way they acted. They never threatened the French goal, and it seemed like they were playing for penalties from the first minute.
France have a massive test against Morocco next, with a win edging them closer to a third consecutive World Cup final.
