French forward Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal from the penalty spot as France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 on Saturday at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia.
The victory propelled the defending champions into the quarterfinals amid stifling heat. Paraguay mounted a resilient defensive effort but could not overcome the French quality in a physical encounter.
Kylian Mbappé of France converted a penalty in the 70th minute after a VAR-reviewed foul in the box. No assist was credited as it was a spot-kick. France controlled possession throughout much of the match but faced a stubborn, defensive Paraguay side that frustrated attacks in a low-scoring affair marked by physical challenges and limited clear chances.
France, with strong group stage form leading into the knockout rounds, maintains its status as a top contender with this result. The win extends their unbeaten streak in the tournament and sets up a challenging quarterfinal. Paraguay exits after a competitive display that highlighted their defensive organization despite limited attacking output.
France will face Morocco on Thursday in the quarterfinals.