KUCHING: France are making a habit of reaching the business end of the FIFA World Cup.
A second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé proved enough to seal a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Paraguay, sending Les Bleus into a fourth consecutive World Cup quarter-final and keeping alive their pursuit of a third global crown.
The win also added another milestone to Didier Deschamps’ remarkable tenure.
The 57-year-old became the first coach in FIFA World Cup history to register 10 knockout-stage victories, another testament to the consistency that has defined France over the last decade.
Paraguay, however, never looked overawed.
Well-drilled and disciplined, Gustavo Alfaro’s men frustrated France for long spells, closing down space and forcing Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué to work for every opening.
For almost 70 minutes, Paraguay’s defensive structure held firm.
Then came the breakthrough.
Doué’s direct run into the penalty area ended with the youngster being brought down, leaving Mbappé with the responsibility of separating the two sides.
He did exactly that.
The France captain calmly sent Orlando Gill the wrong way from the penalty spot to register his 19th FIFA World Cup goal, once again delivering on football’s biggest stage when his side needed him most.
Paraguay responded with renewed urgency, committing more players forward as they chased an equaliser, but France rarely looked rattled.
Deschamps’ side managed the closing stages with the composure that has become synonymous with this generation, limiting Paraguay to half chances before seeing out another narrow knockout victory.
It was far from France’s most dazzling performance.
But tournament football has rarely been about style alone.
Time and again, Deschamps’ side have shown they know how to navigate these moments, grinding out results when brilliance alone is not enough.
With another quarter-final secured, the dream of a third World Cup title remains very much alive.
