Mbappé on penalty

©IMAGO

France, favorites for the title, beat Paraguay and find themselves in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The two-time world champion struggled to create clear scoring chances against the low-lying German conquerors and won thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty goal. The French will face Morocco, winner of Canada 3-0, in the round of 16.

While France had previously despaired of the South American defensive rampart, Mbappé finally scored a penalty (70th minute) in front of 68,324 spectators in Philadelphia. The Real Madrid striker has a total of 19 World Cup goals and is just one goal behind Argentine record holder Lionel Messi. The goal of leaving the Blues with the gold trophy in hand is getting closer and closer for outgoing national coach Didier Deschamps. But for South Americans, the second sensation after the coup against Germany did not materialize. The Albirroja missed out on a place in the quarter-finals and with it the opportunity to repeat their best result in the 2010 World Cup.

For the third time, the two teams face each other at a World Cup. France’s 7-3 victory in 1958 was followed by a dramatic round of 16 run in 1998, which Equipe Tricolore only won with a golden goal in the 114th minute before taking the title. The duel 28 years later also proved to be a test of patience for the big favorite. Paraguay was temporarily locked in front of its own goal with nine outfield players in the penalty area. France ran relentlessly, but found few solutions against the South American defensive rampart. The game was characterized by Albirroja’s poisonous duels.

Because the French could hardly find any solutions in terms of play, they tried their luck with long shots. But both Manu Koné (22nd) and Adrien Rabiot (33rd) missed the target. With each missed opportunity, the French seemed even more annoyed. Paraguay relied on the counterattack via Julio Enciso. But the scorer in the match against Germany often found himself alone because his teammates did not rise to the occasion. Passing statistics up to the 49th minute: France completed 310 passes, Paraguay only 49. It was all the more bitter for the 2018 world champion as he failed to capitalize on his superiority.

The attacking trio Mbappé, world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er Ousmane Dembélé and trainer Michael Olise, who had shone and harmonized during previous World Cups, hardly played in the match. With an assist, Olise, a Bayern professional, could have caught up with Brazilian (Site notre bureau spécialisé) icon Pelé, who scored six goals at the 1970 World Cup and has held the record ever since. The best chances continued to come from distance. With a long shot from Manu Koné, Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill was seriously tested for the first time. It was the first good scoring chance of the match in the 54th minute. It was only the replacement of Désiré Doué that gave the French attacking game a greater goal threat.

It was the winger who took the penalty. Gustavo Velázquez tried to destroy the penalty spot, but Mbappé didn’t let it bother him and converted safely. In stoppage time (90+6), the attacker missed a double opportunity. The focus was always on Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev, who overall toed a very soft line and let things play out a lot.