France advances to World Cup quarterfinals with 1:0 win over Paraguay

Mbappé chases Messi record

It was also the 19th World Cup goal of his career, putting him just one strike behind the all-time record holder Lionel Messi. „der damit erneut nur noch ein Tor hinter Rekordhalter Lionel Messi liegt“, it continued.

Paraguay's walls: Deep block against Dembélé and Co.

The French, who had previously scored at least three goals in every match of the tournament, struggled against the defensively set-up South Americans. Paraguay had already eliminated the German national team in the Round of 32 and continued with the same match plan from the penalty drama against Germany against Les Bleus. „Im Sechzehntelfinale hatte Paraguay gegen das DFB-Team einen massiven Abwehr-Riegel aufgebaut, Havertz, Wirtz und Co. fanden dagegen kaum Mittel."

Coach Didier Deschamps made one change compared to the 3:0 win over Sweden: for the injured Aurélien Tchouaméni, Manu Koné started, who in the 22nd minute registered the first notable chance of the game with a left-footed shot from 22 meters. „Manu Koné fasst sich im Zentrum ein Herz und zieht aus 22 Metern einfach mal mit links ab. Der leicht abgefälschte Ball verfehlt das linke Eck nur knapp."

At temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius in Philadelphia and with a hydration break called by the referee, the first half was evenly contested. At the break, Paraguay and France were still level at 0:0. France controlled the ball and the game, but rarely found a way through Paraguay's compact defense, the Albirroja. „Im Durchschnitt brachten sie weniger als einen Pass pro Minute an den Mann."

Heat battle in Philadelphia

Mbappé himself had a promising opportunity in the 31st minute from a cross by Ousmane Dembélé, which he narrowly missed. „erst in der 89. Minute bot sich Mbappé die Möglichkeit, den Sack zuzumachen", the ticker later wrote about another missed chance.

Little changed in the second half at first: Paraguay defended at times with nine outfield players in their own box and waited for counterattacks. „Es war der einzige Torschuss der Paraguayer in der gesamten Partie", was the sober assessment of the live ticker regarding the opponent's offensive output.

Deschamps provided the decisive impulse in the 61st minute, bringing on Désiré Doué for the yellow-carded Bradley Barcola. „Didier Deschamps belässt es daher auch bei einem einzigen Wechsel: Für Aurélien Tchouaméni, der zunächst auf der Bank sitzt, startet heute Manu Koné." Shortly afterward, Diego Gómez fouled the substitute attacker in the box, prompting the VAR intervention.

After Mbappé's go-ahead goal, Paraguay tried once more to respond, but failed due either to their own finishing weakness or to French custodian Mike Maignan. „Mike Maignan im Frankreich-Tor hatte beim Distanzversuch von Joker Mauricio aber keine Probleme."

Gill as tragic hero

In seven minutes of stoppage time, Mbappé missed a double chance that Paraguay keeper Gill defused with two strong saves. „Orlando Gill - im Elfmeterschießen gegen Deutschland noch der gefeierte Held - muss auf dem Feld behandelt werden, kann nun aber weitermachen." The goalkeeper, who had been celebrated as the hero in the penalty shootout against Germany, was able to continue despite receiving treatment in the 54th minute.

Paraguay's coach Gustavo Alfaro had made three changes compared to the penalty drama against Germany: the injured Omar Alderete returned to the starting lineup as did Diego Gómez, who had served a suspension against the Germans. Gustavo Velázquez was the new addition. „Dafür rotieren José Canale, Damián Bobadilla und Gabriel Ávalos auf die Bank." Still, the Albirroja could not match their sensational run of 2010, the last time the South Americans had reached a World Cup quarterfinal.

Outlook: Quarterfinal against Morocco

France faces Morocco in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 10 p.m. in Boston. Morocco had prevailed 3:0 against co-host Canada in the Round of 16. It is also a rematch of the 2022 semifinal, which France won 2:0. „Frankreich ... drei Siege, zwei Remis" is the direct head-to-head record against Paraguay, with no defeat.

Reactions to the match

The statistics underscore France's dominance: by the 49th minute, France had played 310 passes, Paraguay just 49. France has now reached a World Cup quarterfinal for the fourth consecutive time and is aiming for a third title after 1998 and 2018. „Weltmeister von 2018" they are called in the ticker headline.

For Mbappé and his teammates, relief over the workmanlike win against an awkward opponent prevailed after the final whistle. „Jeder kämpft mit seinen Waffen. Wir haben es auch so gemacht wie sie", the captain said, adding: „Wenn wir uns die Hände schmutzig machen müssen, machen wir uns die Hände schmutzig." Coach Deschamps also praised his team's attitude: „Sie haben mit allen Möglichkeiten gespielt, die sie hatten. Das war vielleicht nicht der Fußball, den wir alle sehen wollten. Das war aber ein guter Schritt für uns."