Mbappé Penalty Sends France Through

France needed a second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé to edge past a physical Paraguay 1-0 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Philadelphia.

Paraguay employed cynical tactics, committing numerous fouls that went unpunished, and French media lashed out at the referee for allowing the 'dark arts.' The tension boiled over after the final whistle when goalkeeper Orlando Gill hurled the ball at Mbappé, sparking a mass confrontation.

France, one of the tournament favorites, will next face Morocco as they continue their title defense.