France secured a place in the World Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in Philadelphia, but the performance raised questions about their vulnerability against disciplined defensive sides. Captain Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty in the 88th minute after a VAR review, sparking wild celebrations as the entire squad charged to the French supporters' section.
Mbappé acknowledges the battle
Mbappé immediately framed the match as a battle, telling TV cameras: “We knew what kind of match we were going to have. But we know how to get our hands dirty.” His comments highlighted the physical and tactical challenge posed by Paraguay, who employed a five-man backline and a narrow midfield four to stifle France's attacking play.
Manager Didier Deschamps was more measured, stating: “It was a tough game but, as I said to the players, we’ve had easy games so far. It is good to face a tough one. I do not want to criticise Paraguay; each team plays the way they want. Playing low block requires less effort. But even in today’s heat we should have played faster in transition.”
Statistical struggles
France recorded their fewest shots on target and lowest expected goals (xG) of the tournament, even including the penalty. They did not register a shot on target until the 55th minute, and only managed one more—the winning spot-kick—before a late flurry saw Mbappé denied three times by goalkeeper Orlando Gill in stoppage time. Paraguay's disruptive tactics, including frequent fouls and time-wasting, limited France's rhythm, with Ousmane Dembelé and Bradley Barcola both struggling to make an impact.
The intense heat, with temperatures reaching 38°C, also played a role. Philadelphia cancelled some of its 4 July celebrations due to the conditions, and France struggled to maintain pace, especially when the pitch was fully exposed to the sun.
Doué's impact off the bench
The turning point came when Désiré Doué entered the fray in the 60th minute. The PSG winger produced his best performance of the tournament, driving into the box and drawing a clumsy challenge from Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev initially missed the foul, but VAR intervened, and Mbappé calmly converted the penalty.
Doué's introduction highlighted France's depth, as they turned to their bench for a solution for the first time in the competition. Deschamps noted: “We have prepared the players, they were expecting this game. It is good to face a tough one and find a way to win.”
Implications for Morocco
Paraguay's performance demonstrated that France can be stifled by a disciplined defensive setup, a lesson that will not be lost on Morocco, their quarter-final opponents. Morocco, known for their compact defending and counter-attacking threat, will likely seek to replicate Paraguay's approach. However, France's ability to win despite an off day—relying on individual brilliance and squad depth—underscores their versatility.
As Mbappé put it, France can win “in tuxedos or in moments.” The victory also served as a reminder that the tournament's favourites are not invincible, which may embolden underdogs. France will need to improve against Morocco in Boston on Thursday, but they have proven they can grind out results even when not at their best.
