Mbappe guides Les Bleus into quarter-finals after tetchy last 16 tie

World Cup favourites France were made to sweat to book their quarter-final place but Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty proved enough to help them past a resolute Paraguay in Philadelphia.

Paraguay limited the two-time winners to very few chances until substitute Desire Doue was fouled inside the box by Brighton's Diego Gomez and referee Ilgiz Tantashev pointed to the spot after a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention.

Mbappe took the penalty and sent Orlando Gill the wrong way to ensure France's progress, as he drew level with Argentina great Lionel Messi on seven goals in the tournament's Golden Boot race.

The last-16 tie kicked off in extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to 38C, but it appeared to be no deterrent for France, who dominated possession from the start.

However, a disciplined Paraguay defence proved difficult to break down and that frustration was evident in the 36th minute when Mbappe lashed out after a foul on him by Andres Cubas.

Gustavo Alfaro's side, who upset Germany on penalties in the last 32, defended resolutely during a cagey first half that ended goalless and with neither side registering a shot on target.

Canada are no match for roaring Atlas Lions!

France showed greater urgency after the break and finally forced Gill into a save through Manu Kone's effort from distance in the 54th minute - their first on target.

But it was not until Doue replaced Bradley Barcola on the left wing that Les Bleus found the moment they had been searching for.

The 21-year-old Paris St-Germain forward drove into the box and danced past a Paraguay defender before Gomez stuck out a leg to bring him down, allowing Mbappe to seal France's place among the final eight.

Match report

Paraguay frustrated the French from the outset with an energetic and disciplined display, refusing to be intimidated by the tournament favourites.

While France dominated possession, Paraguay looked dangerous every time they won the ball, breaking forward at pace with Miguel Almirón leading the charge despite spending long spells tracking back to help his defence.

South African side threatens to report Kenyan forward to FIFA days after completing transfer

The South Americans almost caught France off guard in the opening exchanges through their direct approach, while Les Bleus struggled to create any meaningful opportunities.

Barcola timed his run perfectly onto a chipped pass in the 11th minute, but the ball skipped away from him before he could pull the trigger.

France found themselves repeatedly frustrated by Paraguay's compact defensive shape.

Every attempted attack was quickly crowded out as the South Americans threw bodies behind the ball, limiting Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé to isolated moments.

The first real effort on goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Manu Koné unleashed a strike from distance that took a deflection before going behind for a corner.

It summed up France's struggles in an opening period where clear chances were almost impossible to find.

Paraguay's defensive discipline continued to impress, with goalkeeper Gill rarely called into serious action despite France controlling possession.

At the other end, the South Americans remained patient, looking to exploit transitions whenever France committed numbers forward.

Tempers briefly flared after the half hour mark when Andrés Cubas bundled Mbappé to the ground, sparking a confrontation involving several players from both teams.

The referee quickly restored order before play resumed.

France came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 31st minute when Mbappé escaped his marker to meet a cross inside the area, only to send his header narrowly wide.

Klopp finally admits: ‘I’m ready’

Moments later, Jules Koundé tested Gill with a long range effort after Paraguay failed to properly clear a free kick, but the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

Adrien Rabiot also tried his luck from distance as France searched for inspiration, while Paraguay continued to defend with remarkable organisation, forcing Les Bleus into speculative efforts rather than allowing them clear sights of goal.

Paraguay almost produced a moment of quality before the interval after winning possession deep inside the French half.

They broke quickly with Almirón and Julio Enciso involved, but France recovered in time to deny them a shooting opportunity as the teams went into the break locked at 0-0.

France emerged after halftime with far greater urgency and almost immediately found the breakthrough.

Mike Maignan launched a superb long ball that released Mbappé behind the defence, but after appeals for handball were waved away, Paraguay survived the scare.

Les Bleus continued to increase the pressure and came within touching distance again in the 55th minute when Koné drove a powerful effort towards the top corner, forcing Gill into an outstanding one handed save before France won yet another corner.

Fener sign a serial winner from Manchester City

Paraguay's resistance suffered another setback on the hour mark when Enciso was forced off through injury.

France also refreshed their attack by introducing Désiré Doué, a substitution that would ultimately prove decisive.

Doué immediately brought fresh energy down the flank and, after bursting into the penalty area, was brought down by a late challenge.

Following a lengthy VAR review, the referee pointed to the penalty spot despite furious protests from the Paraguayan players.

Mbappé stepped up in the 70th minute and calmly sent Gill the wrong way, rolling his penalty into the bottom corner to finally reward France's persistence and hand them a deserved lead.

Rather than collapse, Paraguay responded positively.

They pushed more players forward, pressed France higher up the pitch and finally began asking questions of the French defence. Long throws, direct balls into the area and aggressive pressing pinned Les Bleus inside their own half for spells.

France, however, defended resolutely. Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba repeatedly won crucial duels, while Koné's tireless work in midfield helped break up Paraguay's growing momentum.

As the match entered its closing stages, frustrations began boiling over.

Several robust tackles led to heated exchanges, with yellow cards failing to calm tempers as players from both sides continued arguing with each other and the referee.

Paraguay nearly found a route back into the match late on when France gifted possession in dangerous areas, but Maignan remained alert to produce his first meaningful save after a powerful effort from distance threatened the bottom corner.

France looked equally dangerous on the counter attack.

Mbappé twice came close to sealing the result, first forcing Gill into a fine stop before the Paraguayan goalkeeper produced an outstanding double save in stoppage time to keep his side alive.

The final 10 minutes of added time produced more drama than the previous 90, with Paraguay launching wave after wave of attacks, France defending desperately and both benches constantly appealing for decisions.

Another series of confrontations broke out as emotions spilled over, while the referee came under heavy scrutiny for a number of contentious calls.

Despite Paraguay's late surge, France showed their experience by slowing the tempo whenever possible and managing possession intelligently in the closing moments.

When the final whistle eventually arrived, Mbappé's penalty proved enough to send Les Bleus through after a tense battle against a Paraguay side whose disciplined performance deserved far more than the narrow scoreline suggested.