Pennsylvania, July 4 -- A second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappe proved decisive as France edged past a determined Paraguay 1-0 in a hard-fought FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash at Lincoln Financial Field to book their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco.

Having breezed through the group stage, Didier Deschamps' side encountered their toughest challenge of the tournament against a disciplined Paraguay outfit that had stunned Germany in the previous round.

The South Americans frustrated France throughout a fiercely contested opening half, combining compact defending with relentless work rate to deny the two-time world champions clear opportunities.

France dominated possession from the outset, controlling more ...