Frenzied celebrations erupted as France secured their spot in the quarter-finals, with the entire squad rushing from the center of the pitch to the stands at Philadelphia Stadium, where their loyal supporters were gathered. A pile-up ensued, accompanied by loud cheers and jubilant chest-thumping, led by none other than Kylian Mbappé.
Once the excitement had calmed, the France captain addressed the television cameras, framing the match’s narrative. He described it as less of a typical game and more of a struggle against a Paraguay team that consistently challenged them. “We knew what kind of match we were going to have,” Mbappé stated. “But we know how to get our hands dirty.”
Didier Deschamps, the French coach, offered a more measured evaluation of the encounter. “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,” he remarked.
Deschamps continued, emphasizing the preparation of his players for this type of match. “I have prepared the players, they were expecting this game. I do not want to criticise Paraguay; each team plays the way they want. We looked at playing football but the opponent did what they wanted to do. Playing low block requires less effort. But even in today’s heat we should have played faster in transition.”
While acknowledging Paraguay’s strategic approach, particularly the effective play of Matías Galarza, it became clear that Mbappé and his teammates were determined to focus on their own struggles. This match marked France’s least convincing performance of the tournament, as they failed to register a shot on target until the 55th minute and managed just one more— the penalty that secured their victory— before a late surge was thwarted by Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who denied Mbappé on three occasions during added time.
Notably, France recorded the lowest number of shots on target and the lowest expected goals (xG) of their tournament, including the penalty. Paraguay’s formation, consisting of a five-man back line and a narrow midfield, effectively restricted spaces, making it difficult for even Michael Olise to find openings. Ousmane Dembelé and Bradley Barcola also struggled to make an impact, leaving the team unable to elevate their game, unlike in previous matches. This disjointed performance will likely catch the attention of Morocco, France’s next opponents, who are adept at stifling play.
Contributing to the match’s outcome were external factors, particularly the sweltering heat in Philadelphia, with temperatures reaching 38°C, prompting the city to cancel some of its July 4 celebrations. From the stands, it seemed that the oppressive conditions significantly affected the match more than Paraguay’s interruptions. Despite their efforts to provoke, France struggled early on to maintain any pace, especially with the pitch fully exposed to the sun.
Ultimately, France had to rely on individual moments to secure their win. Their star players, especially Mbappé, sought to resolve problems independently. They clinched the match in such a fashion. Désiré Doué’s rapid slalom into the box outpaced two Paraguayan defenders and drew a foul from the third, captain Gustavo Gómez. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev missed the infraction, but VAR intervened to award a penalty, which Mbappé converted calmly.
PSG’s Doué delivered an impressive performance despite only being on the field for the last 30 minutes after coming off the bench. This may be the most significant takeaway from the match: France faced a complex tactical challenge and frustrating opponents in difficult conditions. They did not perform well or create many chances, although they notably did not concede any. For the first time in this tournament, they turned to their bench for a solution, and it proved effective.
Paraguay’s various tactics successfully dulled France’s edge in Philadelphia, reminiscent of Cape Verde’s earlier performance against tournament favorites Argentina. The erosion of France’s invincibility is beneficial for the tournament. Deschamps’s team will need to elevate their performance against Morocco in Boston on Thursday. However, emerging from this challenging encounter has also showcased their full range of capabilities. They can triumph with finesse or rely on moments of brilliance, which can originate from anywhere.
- World Cup 2026
- France
- Paraguay
- World Cup
- analysis
