Source : ABC NEWS
This round of 16 clash at Philadelphia Stadium opened with all the glamour, excitement and showmanship that you would expect from a game featuring the red-hot tournament favourite. Except that was all before kick-off.
On the USA’s national holiday, the Fourth of July, in the city called the birthplace of America, the pre-game show was full of all the red, white and blue patriotism your heart could desire.
A banging rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner from Broadway star Idina Menzel, a carefully choreographed display of stars and flags covering the pitch, a live band, and fighter jets flying overhead.
There were more than a few founding fathers spotted around the stadium too in their full regalia, an impressive feat considering the sweltering conditions with the temperature pushing 40 degrees.
And that was as good as it got for the next 70 minutes.
Until Kylian Mbappé’s penalty finally broke the stalemate against Paraguay and sent the battling Les Bleus through to the quarterfinals.
Kylian Mbappé celebrates scoring a penalty, the only goal of the match. (Getty Images: FIFA/Patrick Smith)
Heated exchanges
The French had been an attacking delight at this World Cup, scoring at least three goals in all four of its previous games.
But ever since a stinging opening 4-1 defeat to the USA, Paraguay has made its own impact as the underdog nation building its surprising run on stoic defence, fouls — some awarded, many not, forcing turnovers, and frustrating the opposition.
The physicality attracted criticism from many fans and pundits during the game, including former England defender Stephen Warnock speaking on the BBC.
“There is playing fair and tough, but this is playing tough and unfair,” he said.
“Paraguay are trying to injure players and that is unacceptable.”
Tensions boiled over several times during the game. (Getty Images: Anadolu/Abdulhamid Hosbas)
Interestingly, the only yellow cards were handed to three French players.
Les Bleus did not even come close to scoring in the first half, failing to register a shot on target as Paraguay camped everyone behind the ball.
France’s players grew angry with the stray kicks directed at them, Mbappé received the most unwanted attention and blew up at his opposition and the referee several times.
Ousmane Dembélé, so electric with his hat trick against Norway, was smothered and effectively contained by Paraguay, while Michael Olise, so often a provider, could barely break free.
The South Americans created few opportunities, making some half breaks, but never any dangerous penetration into the final third, while France was forced into long-range speculative shots, with Adrien Rabiot a key culprit.
There were better signs of life in the second half. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan’s excellent long ball for Mbappé almost saw the captain score but was shut down by an impressive last gasp effort from Jose Caceres.
And with a goal in open play looking impossible, VAR put France out of its misery.
Starved of a goal, sections of the crowd started chanting “penalty, penalty” without even seeing a replay, and there were massive cheers when it was awarded for Diego Gomez’s trip on Désiré Doué.
After some needless delays from the Paraguayan defence, Mbappé stepped up, ran, stopped, then restarted and slotted the decisive penalty.
He came ever so close to closing it out in more impressive style in stoppage time, forcing a brilliant double save from Orlando Gill.
This was the most France has been pushed at this tournament, and yet never really looked in any danger of losing it.
It might be helpful to other teams, namely its next opposition Morocco, to see a France World Cup win is not a fait accompli, although to win when strangled in this manner is still an impressive feat.
After their round of 32 win against Sweden, the players acknowledged the French fans with applause but nothing raucous.
This time, as the celebratory anthem Freed from Desire blared through the speakers, they were jumping, waving their arms in the air, dancing and singing in synchronisation with the supporters.
A cursory look might suggest this was another routine win for a team steamrolling its way towards the title.
But it was a dogged test, and France will enjoy coming away from it largely unscathed.
Marking Independence Day
To have an excited, engaged, capacity crowd in a largely dull game in oppressive heat says a lot about how much Americans have embraced the World Cup games they have hosted.
Large numbers of travelling supporters have attended all games, but they have been complemented by a very strong showing of locals who have wanted to experience this mega event, despite not being a “soccer” nation.
Leading up to this game, Philadelphia Independence National Historical Park, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was full of Americans who had travelled from across the country for the 250th celebrations.
But there were also many excited that the World Cup had provided an opportunity for the country to show a different side of itself.
“I think the World Cup is exactly what we needed right now,” Donovan, from Alabama, said.
“There’s a lot of political unrest in America, but having so many people from different countries, going to be so excited about everything that’s happening in America.
“It’s just reminding us about our foundation and why we built this country in the first place. And it’s been a great wake-up call and a great reminder of why we’re so special.”
Julian is a Colombian American from San Francisco who has been travelling around the US for the 250th anniversary events and wanted to soak up the environment.
“I think it’s surreal … kind of an out-of-body experience to just put yourself in that time,” he said.
“And our history is not perfect, but it’s our history nonetheless. And I think history we can respect, appreciate, and learn from. And I think that’s the excitement that I get from just being in the atmosphere.”
