France survive Paraguay test as Morocco get a blueprint for quarter-final pressure

France are into the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Paraguay, with Kylian Mbappé scoring the decisive penalty following a VAR intervention. The win was enough, but it was also France’s least fluent outing of the tournament so far.

Paraguay made the match uncomfortable by defending deep, using a five-man back line and a tight midfield shape to crowd the spaces France usually attack. France did not register a shot on target until the 55th minute, and the article reports their lowest xG and fewest shots on target of the tournament, including the penalty.

The decisive moment came after substitute Désiré Doué drove into the area and drew a foul from Gustavo Gómez that was initially missed by referee Ilgiz Tantashev before VAR awarded the spot-kick. Mbappé converted, while Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill later denied him multiple times in added time.

The Philadelphia heat, reported at around 38C, may have contributed to France’s lack of rhythm, but the wider lesson is tactical. Morocco, their next opponent in Boston on Thursday, will likely have noted that France can be slowed if their transitions are disrupted and their wide attackers are denied space.

For Didier Deschamps, the positive is that France found a way through without playing well and without conceding. The warning is that against Morocco, moments of individual quality may not be enough if the collective tempo remains this uneven.