France beat Paraguay 1-0 on Mbappé penalty to reach FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals

Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty in the 70th minute in Philadelphia as France edged a resilient Paraguay side; Les Bleus face Morocco on July 9 in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final

スポーツ· active 長期戦 ·10 論調 ·2026年7月4日 23:55Z ·rbtfl 更新 2026年7月5日

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Summary

France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 4. Paraguay held France goalless for 70 minutes before Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty to separate the sides. France advance to face Morocco in the quarter-finals on July 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, a repeat of the 2022 semi-final that France won 2-0. Paraguay, appearing at their first World Cup since 2010, exit with significant credit after restricting France to a single penalty in open play.

The split

French press focused on the team's unconvincing performance and whether the squad has the form to beat Morocco a second time. Paraguayan outlets framed the 70-minute defensive stand as a source of national pride and a sign of the program's return to relevance after a 16-year absence from the tournament. Spanish-language South American media highlighted the penalty controversy, with Paraguayan officials suggesting the foul on Mbappé was marginal.

By the numbers

1-0, France's winning margin
70th minute, Mbappé's match-winning penalty
2010, last year Paraguay appeared at a FIFA World Cup before 2026
July 9, France v Morocco quarter-final date at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
2-0, France's winning margin over Morocco in the 2022 World Cup semi-final

Why it matters

The France-Morocco quarter-final rematch is the match the 2026 tournament draw was constructed around by bracket luck: two of the most anticipated national programs in the 2022 edition face each other one round before the semi-finals rather than in the final. Mbappé's form and Paraguay's penalty dispute will define the pre-match narrative. For Morocco, a win would mark the first time an African nation has reached a World Cup semi-final for the second time.

What to watch

France vs. Morocco quarter-final, July 9, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Whether France's tactical structure shifts to account for Morocco's counterattacking transition threat.
Paraguay Soccer Federation assessment of the program's 2026 performance and next qualification cycle.

一次記録 · 1

FIFA.com — Official FIFA match record for France v Paraguay, Round of 16, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, July 4. Final score France 1-0 Paraguay. Goal: Kylian Mbappé penalty, 70th minute.

各地の論調 · 2

▸ French sports daily

L'Equipe · France · fr

L'Equipe reported France's narrow passage, noting Paraguay's disciplined defensive block held for 70 minutes before the penalty allowed Mbappé to settle the tie; the paper highlighted France's inability to create clear open-play chances against a CONMEBOL side marshalled by their goalkeeper and questioned whether the performance level would survive a quarter-final against Morocco.

“France survive a Paraguay scare: Mbappé's penalty at last separates the sides in Philadelphia.”

出典 ↗

▸ Paraguayan newspaper

ABC Color (Paraguay) · Paraguay · es

ABC Color led with national pride at Paraguay's competitive performance, noting this was the country's first World Cup appearance since 2010; Paraguayan players received a standing ovation from their own support. The penalty decision was contested by the Paraguayan team and coaching staff as too harsh.

“Paraguay despide el Mundial con la frente en alto tras aguantar 70 minutos ante Francia.”