Mbappe penalty gives France 1-0 win over Paraguay, sets up Morocco quarter-final
France edged Paraguay 1-0 in the World Cup round of 16 on July 4, 2026 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, with Kylian Mbappe converting a 70th‑minute penalty after Desire Doue was fouled inside the box. The win came after a tightly contested match in which Paraguay managed no shot on target until the 90th minute, despite enjoying 68,324 fans and sweltering 38 °C heat. The game coincided with the 250th anniversary of US independence, featuring a pre‑match concert with Idina Menzel, The Roots and a US Air Force flyover.
The result lifts Mbappe to seven tournament goals, level with Lionel Messi as joint‑top scorer, and pushes his World Cup tally to 19 — just one shy of Messi’s all‑time record. France now faces Morocco in the quarter‑final next Thursday in nearby Foxborough, having returned to their Boston base to prepare. Paraguay, ranked 41st and having earlier knocked out Germany on penalties, exit the tournament.
Will Mbappe’s scoring momentum propel France past Morocco’s resilient defense, or will the Atlas Lions finally halt his World Cup surge?