Shafaqna Pakistan: Kylian Mbappé scored his 19th FIFA World Cup goal as France overcame sweltering conditions to defeat Paraguay 1-0 on Saturday, securing a place in the quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive tournament.
France will face Morocco in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Playing under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures approaching 38°C (100°F), Les Bleus found it difficult to break down a disciplined and physical Paraguay side before Mbappé converted a penalty in the 70th minute to score the decisive goal.
The victory was enough to send France through, with thousands of French supporters celebrating in Philadelphia as the United States marked the 250th anniversary of its independence.
Mbappé was awarded the penalty when Diego Gomez was called for tripping after a video review. Then he stutter-stepped on his way to his 19th goal in 19 World Cup appearances, one behind career record holder Lionel Messi of Argentina.
Mbappé and Messi each have seven goals in this tournament to top the Golden Boot race.
Source: Dunya News
