The Real Madrid star scored a decisive penalty late on in Philadelphia on Saturday, yet the game was marred by Paraguay's antics, with the South American side accused of being 'dirty'.
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#paraguay / Page 5
This was the least convincing performance by the World Cup favourites and their quarter-final opponents will also make it uncomfortable for them ...
In today's Football Daily: Kylian Mbappé and co have the last laugh ...
Kylian Mbappé was targeted with rough fouls throughout the match before Orlando Gill threw a ball at him during a tense post-match confrontation.
French newspaper L'Equipe gave World Cup referee Ilgiz Tantashev just their third 1/10 rating for an official in a decade after failing to clamp down on Paraguay's 'dark arts' in their World Cup last-16 tie.
Paraguay's players repeatedly attempted to disrupt play.
There was play-acting, time-wasting, outright cheating. But there was also defensive commitment and a resolve to see the game plan through ...
There will be 104 games at this World Cup - and The Athletic is ranking them all as we go along ...
Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal, a penalty, as France struggled to break down a dogged and underhand Paraguay defence ...
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Barney Ronay and Philippe Auclair as France beat a spiky Paraguay side to reach the quarter-finals ...