France entered the knockout stage with a clear objective: break down a defensively organized Paraguay side and advance to the next round.
The deadlock was finally broken when Kylian Mbappé stepped up to convert a penalty, his composure under pressure reflecting the experience of a player who has already illuminated the tournament with his speed and finishing.
A Penalty That Shifted Momentum
Paraguay, however, refused to surrender quietly. Their approach was marked by physical challenges and a willingness to exploit every marginal call, a strategy that drew criticism from observers and left the referee, Ilgiz Tantashev, struggling to maintain control.
Despite a subdued display from the front four, France’s depth proved decisive. Substitute Desiré Doué entered the fray and immediately altered the tempo, drawing a foul inside the box that set the stage for Mbappé’s spot‑kick.
The match also highlighted the growing influence of France’s bench, with players such as Adrien Rabiot, Michael Olise, Manu Koné, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé providing fresh energy when it mattered most.
Head coach Didier Deschamps praised the collective effort, noting that the team’s resilience and tactical discipline outweighed the individual shortcomings of the attacking line.
Looking ahead, Les Bleus will meet Morocco in the quarter‑finals, a rematch of the 2022 semi‑final that saw the North Africans edge a dramatic contest. The encounter promises another tightly contested battle.