Paraguay vs France Player Ratings & Match Stats: Orlando Gill 7.4/10, Kylian Mbappé 8.2/10
Mark Strijbosch
France were made to be patient against an ultra-defensive Paraguay side in the round of 16 clash in Philadelphia, but eventually, as predicted, Les Bleus broke through. Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty was the difference as France won 1-0, and advance to the quarter-finals. Substitute Désiré Doué changed the game for Deschamps' side, winning the penalty and constantly carrying the ball into dangerous areas.
Mbappe has now scored 11 knockout goals at the World Cup, three more than anyone else in the competition's history. How many will he end up with during this campaign? He's been brilliant so far and is the tournament's leading goal scorer, alongside Lionel Messi, both tied on seven goals. France face Morocco in the quarter-final next Thursday 9th July.
Player Ratings
Paraguay
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Orlando Gill | 7.4 | Commanding display, denying Mbappé twice late on with excellent close-range saves. Handled crosses confidently throughout. |
Juan José Cáceres | 6.9 | Made crucial interventions on the right, drew a foul leading to Barcola's booking, and disrupted French rhythm effectively. |
Gustavo Velázquez | 7.0 | Anchored the defence with seven first-half clearances, repeatedly heading away French crosses and blocking shots throughout. |
Gustavo Gómez | 6.8 | Captained the defensive effort with composed organisation, coordinating the backline and contributing vital headed clearances from set pieces. |
Omar Alderete | 6.4 | Contributed to defensive structure before a pre-existing injury flared up, forcing him off in the 58th minute. |
Júnior Alonso | 6.7 | Combined defensive duties with attacking forays, had a shot blocked by Upamecano and a volley fly wide. |
Diego Gómez | 5.5 | Blocked Koné's shot but conceded the crucial penalty on Doué, substituted immediately after Mbappé's conversion. |
Andrés Cubas | 7.3 | Standout performer in midfield, winning seven ground duels and making three tackles with tireless defensive work throughout. |
Matías Galarza Fonda | 6.5 | Provided defensive coverage in midfield, effective when doubling up on French wingers, booked after final whistle altercation. |
Miguel Almirón | 6.3 | Operated as creative outlet but found limited chances, his shot from a tight angle blocked by Saliba. |
Julio Enciso | 5.9 | Struggled against physical French centre-backs, isolated in possession and unable to hold the ball up effectively before substitution. |
José Canale | 6.4 | Slotted into defence after Alderete's injury in the 58th minute, providing solid cover and maintaining disciplined shape. |
Gustavo Caballero | 6.1 | Came on for Enciso, pressed French defenders with energy but had limited touches in dangerous attacking areas. |
Mauricio | 6.2 | Introduced after the penalty incident, had a weak shot saved by Maignan and delivered set pieces into the box. |
Gabriel Ávalos | 5.8 | Entered as target man to offer aerial presence, competed physically with centre-backs but committed a foul for elbowing Upamecano. |
France
Player Name | Rating | Description |
Mike Maignan | 6.8 | Comfortable evening behind dominant possession, made routine saves and distributed effectively to launch quick counter-attacks when needed. |
Jules Koundé | 7.0 | Provided consistent attacking thrust from right-back, overlapping regularly to deliver crosses while maintaining defensive discipline throughout. |
Dayot Upamecano | 7.0 | Anchored the defence with physical presence, made a crucial block on Alonso though one loose touch allowed Almirón a chance. |
William Saliba | 7.1 | Composed alongside Upamecano, made a vital block on Almirón's shot and dominated aerial challenges against Paraguay's attackers. |
Lucas Digne | 6.8 | Provided width on the left with overlapping runs, delivered crosses into the box and tracked back solidly against counters. |
Adrien Rabiot | 6.7 | Contributed to possession dominance from central midfield, though two ambitious shots from outside the box sailed over the goal. |
Manu Koné | 6.9 | Showed attacking intent with multiple shots, forced Gill into a wrong-hand save and was booked for a late challenge. |
Michael Olise | 7.2 | Operated with creative freedom, delivered dangerous set pieces and drew fouls, booked late for a challenge on Galarza. |
Ousmane Dembélé | 6.8 | Posed a threat with direct running and delivery, had a curling shot deflected out but lacked decisive end product. |
Bradley Barcola | 5.8 | Struggled to make an impact, booked early for a high challenge on Cáceres, poor shot before his 61st-minute substitution. |
Kylian Mbappé | 8.2 | Decisive penalty conversion in the 70th minute, denied twice by Gill late on, now level with Messi on seven goals. |
Désiré Doué | 7.8 | Made immediate impact off the bench, won the match-winning penalty with a superb dribbling run into the box. |
Rayan Cherki | 6.5 | Entered in the 84th minute to help protect the lead, showed direct running and helped France see out victory. |
