France Beats Paraguay 1-0 on Mbappe Penalty as Record Heat and Tempers Flare
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
France Beats Paraguay 1-0 on Mbappe Penalty as Record Heat and Tempers Flare
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 4
Summary
Kylian Mbappe’s penalty sent France past Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia, knocking Paraguay out and putting France into a July 9 quarterfinal against Morocco in Boston.
The spot kick ended Paraguay’s stubborn resistance in a bruising match played under an Extreme Heat Warning, with Mbappe’s seventh goal of the tournament drawing him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Orlando Gill kept Paraguay alive deep into stoppage time with a standout double save from Mbappe, but France still saw out one of the ugliest and hottest games of the tournament.
Full-time brought more confrontation, with Paraguayan players and staff angry at the referee after a match marked by repeated fouls, simmering tempers and disputed officiating.