5 July 2026
Mbappe Penalty and Doue Foul Send France to the Last Eight
A stubborn Paraguay side were finally undone in Philadelphia when substitute Desire Doue won a penalty that Kylian Mbappe converted to send France through.
France needed patience and a slice of fortune to get past Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday, according to Reuters, as the South Americans made Les Bleus work hard for their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The breakthrough came after the interval when substitute Desire Doue, who had come on for Bradley Barcola, was brought down inside the box by Diego Gomez. Mbappe stepped up to dispatch the spot kick and settle what had been a tense, testing evening for the French.
France now advance to the quarter-finals, continuing their run as one of the tournament favourites. For Paraguay, it was a gutsy display that will earn them credit even in defeat.
Sources
