KYLIAN Mbappe once again proved the difference as France booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay in a fiercely contested last-16 tie.
The France captain calmly converted a penalty in the 70th minute to separate the two sides and preserve Les Bleus' hopes of lifting a third World Cup title.
The strike also took Mbappe's remarkable World Cup tally to 19 goals, further cementing his place among the tournament's greatest goal scorers.
Despite Paraguay's disciplined defensive display, France eventually found the breakthrough from the penalty spot, with Mbappe showing his trademark composure to beat the goalkeeper and hand Didier Deschamps' side a decisive advantage.
The slender victory was enough to secure France's place in the last eight, where they will face Morocco in one of the tournament's most anticipated quarter-final clashes next week.
Morocco progressed after an impressive 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada, setting up a meeting between the African heavyweights and the 2018 world champions for a place in the semi-finals.
France will enter the tie seeking to continue their pursuit of a third World Cup crown, while Morocco aim to extend their historic run after reaching consecutive World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. - July 5, 2026
