France opted for a more measured approach during their latest encounter, perhaps due to the sweltering conditions. As Philadelphia sweltered under a heatwave on Independence Day, the World Cup favorites were compelled to slow their pace, yet they still overpowered a Paraguay side that aimed to compete but ultimately proved only a minor irritation.
This matchup echoed memories of France’s historic 1998 victory rather than the infamous 1958 clash. Kylian Mbappé, France’s prolific forward, was limited to just a single penalty goal, which allowed him to equal Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot while still trailing Messi in all-time World Cup scoring.
The significance of the day was palpable, marked by Philadelphia’s grand celebrations of the semiquincentennial of the US Declaration of Independence. Festivities included a rendition of the stars and stripes on the pitch, choreographed formations, and a performance of “America the Beautiful” by a boys’ choir. True to Philadelphia’s vibrant culture, local rap legends the Roots also entertained the crowd, with one member even showcasing his skills on the French horn amidst the intense heat.
With the game unfolding, it became evident that Paraguay could struggle to maintain defensive solidity throughout. In the first half, France dominated possession, completing 208 passes compared to Paraguay’s 33 after a much-needed hydration break. However, much of this ball control occurred in front of Paraguay’s defense, revealing a tactical approach aimed at conserving energy.
Despite being the underdogs, Paraguay did not appear resigned to defeat. They exhibited a compact and organized formation, determined to thwart French advances at every turn. Julio Enciso, Paraguay’s lone striker in a 5-4-1 setup, worked tirelessly to pressure the French defenders and provoke fouls, executing his role effectively.
Following a break for cooling down, the players returned to a pitch that was now in shadow and slightly cooler. France, likely inspired by coach Didier Deschamps’ halftime pep talk, increased their tempo significantly.
In the 55th minute, they finally registered their first shot on target, a long-range attempt from Manu Koné that was skillfully saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill. However, France struggled to penetrate the Paraguayan defense, leading Deschamps to substitute Bradley Barcola for Désiré Doué after Barcola missed a crucial opportunity.
Doué made an immediate impact upon his introduction, challenging the Paraguay defense aggressively. In the 64th minute, he surged into the box, navigating past two defenders before being brought down by the third, Diego Gómez. Although referee Ilgiz Tantashev initially waved play on, the video assistant referee prompted a review.
After consulting the monitor, Tantashev changed his decision and awarded a penalty. Ousmane Dembélé took possession of the ball in preparation, but there was no doubt about who would take the shot. Once Tantashev reset the spot following a brief interruption from a Paraguayan player, Mbappé confidently approached the ball, sending Gill to his right and rolling it into the left corner to give France the lead. They maintained this advantage with relative ease, managing the match without excessive exertion.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Paraguay
- France
- Kylian Mbappé
- match reports
