Mbappé levels World Cup goal tally with Messi as France squeeze through to quarters
By Joel Masibo, July 5, 2026France secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Sunday, July 5, 2026, with captain Kylian Mbappe converting a second-half penalty to book Les Bleus a quarter-final showdown against Morocco.
Mbappe remained composed despite repeated attempts by Paraguayan players to delay the kick and disturb the penalty mark. He calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, scoring his seventh World Cup goal to draw level with Lionel Messi’s tournament tally.
The goal also extended Mbappe’s remarkable World Cup record. He has now scored 11 goals in knockout matches, more than any other player in tournament history.
Match hihlights
Played in scorching temperatures in Philadelphia, the encounter was fiercely contested and frequently interrupted by physical challenges, with Paraguay frustrating the French attack for long periods through disciplined defending and game management.
After knocking at Paraguay’s door several times, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute after substitute Desire Doué was brought down inside the penalty area. Although referee Ilgiz Tantashev initially dismissed France’s appeals, a VAR review prompted him to overturn his decision and point to the spot.
Paraguay, who had shocked Germany in the previous round, produced a determined defensive display throughout most of the match. France struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, relying largely on efforts from distance as their opponents slowed the tempo and closed down space effectively.
The introduction of Doue proved decisive, injecting fresh energy into the French attack and ultimately leading to the match-winning penalty.
As the game wore on, emotions boiled over. Paraguay’s players committed several robust challenges during the closing stages, yet the referee chose not to issue a single yellow card to any Paraguayan player despite repeated complaints from the French side. Heated confrontations continued even after the final whistle.
Mbappe had an opportunity to add a second goal deep into stoppage time, but goalkeeper Orlando Gill produced an excellent double save to deny him. Following the final whistle, the France captain declined to shake Gill’s hand after an eventful contest marked by controversial officiating.
France’s first notable effort came after 22 minutes when Manu Kone fired from long range. Mbappe almost opened the scoring in the 31st minute but failed to make proper contact with Ousmane Dembele’s inviting cross.
Shortly before halftime, Mbappe was struck in the face by Matias Galarza, but the incident went unpunished.
Kone forced Gill into an impressive save early in the second half before VAR intervened in the 67th minute to award France their decisive penalty.
Later, Juan Jose Caceres escaped disciplinary action after kicking out at Mbappe, while Gill’s late heroics prevented France from increasing their advantage before tempers flared at full-time.
Deschamps praises his team’s patience
France manager Didier Deschamps admitted his side had to work extremely hard for the victory.
“It wasn’t easy. If we’d taken one of our chances late in the game, it would have been a much more comfortable finish.
“Paraguay use every trick in the book. It’s not necessarily the kind of football people enjoy watching, but we stayed focused and that’s not easy to do.
“They’re a physical side and they defend very well. It’s another important step forward. It’s always difficult against South American teams, but I’m delighted that the players got the job done.
“We’re into the quarter-finals and we have to enjoy that.”
Mbappe pleased with France’s response
The French captain said the demanding encounter demonstrated another side of his team’s character.
“We knew what kind of match to expect. I think it was really good for us to experience a game like that and to see how we handled it.
“We showed that we’re not just a team capable of playing attacking football. Every team uses its own strengths – there’s no right or wrong way to play.
“The only right way is to win. Now we have to focus on Morocco. We’re really looking forward to facing them because we know they’re a very good team.”
Match statistics
Paraguay completed only 54 per cent of their passes, successfully finding a teammate with just 99 of their 183 attempts, the lowest passing accuracy ever recorded in a World Cup knockout fixture since records began in 1966.
Despite the physical nature of the match, Paraguay finished without receiving a single booking, marking the first time they have avoided any cards in a World Cup match since facing Nigeria in 1998.
The contest also became only the third World Cup knockout match since 1966 to reach halftime without either side registering a shot on target.
Quarter-final awaits
France now advance to the last eight, where they will meet Morocco in Boston on July 9. The fixture will be a repeat of the nations’ memorable 2022 World Cup semi-final as Les Bleus continue their pursuit of another world title.