France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match on Saturday at the Philadelphia Stadium. Kylian Mbappe scored the decisive goal from a 70th-minute penalty kick, which was awarded after a VAR review overturned an initial call denying a foul against Desire Doue.
The star-studded French team dominated possession with 76 per cent, but Paraguay’s deeply organised, physical, low block defensive strategies frustrated the French attack, limiting clear chances before the break.
With this victory, France advances to the World Cup quarterfinals. They will be facing Morocco in the quarter-finals.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP | FRANCE VS PARAGUAY | HIGHLIGHTS
5.25 am: Updates to this live blog have ended.
4.35 am: Final whistle blows
France edges past Paraguay 1-0, securing a Round of 8 berth.
4.30 am: Heroic double saves from Gill
The Paraguayan goalkeeper denied Mbappe his brace once again after a strong right-hand save. Just after the save, Mbappe followed it up with another shot, which, too, was saved by the 26-year-old, keeping hopes alive for his team.
4.23 am: Mbappe denied a brace
Mbappe looked to double the lead after a powerful shot from outside the box, but Gill stood firm and saved it comfortably. The score remains 1-0 in favour of France.
4.04 am: GOAL! Finally, France makes it 1-0
Mbappe calmly slotted the spot kick into the bottom left corner. He paused for a moment before the kick, deceiving the goalkeeper, who went to the other side. Mbappe delivered with his trademark penalty shot—the stutter-step run-up.
4 am: It’s a PENALTY for France!
Desire Doue was clipped inside the penalty box before a long shout from the French players, prompting the referee to halt the match and check for a penalty. The match official pointed to the spot after checking the monitor.
3.48 am: Kone tests Orlando Gill from distance
French midfielder Manu Kone found some space in the midfield before firing a rifle shot toward the goal. The Paraguayan goalkeeper, however, was well-positioned and parried it away with a strong right hand, keeping the score 0-0.
3.46 am: Dembele collides with Paraguayan goalkeeper
After Mbappe’s quick corner, Dembele found some space amid a tight defensive display from Paraguay. However, Dembele fired it wide from a tight angle, colliding with the goalkeeper, stopping the game for a couple of minutes.
3.44 am: Paraguay earns its first corner
Fifty minutes down the line in a heat-packed Philadelphia, and Paraguay earns its first corner after a fierce counter-attack, which was defended by the French stoppers.
3.22 am: It’s a stalemate till half-time
Despite heavy dominance in possession by Mbappe and the star-studded French attack, Paraguay’s resolute defensive structure has successfully neutralised Les Bleus to keep the game deadlocked af half-time. It’s 0-0.
3.08 am: Tensions are flaring after a foul on Mbappe
Mbappe outpaced Andres Cubas, who pulled him back, giving away a foul to France. However, the pull was not well-received by the French star, who pushed Cubas. A chaos followed, with most of the team members getting involved in the incident. The scuffle, however, ended with handshakes.
3.05 am: Mbappe misses header
French star Kylian Mbappe jumped high but missed a perfectly lofted ball from the right wing by Ousmane Dembele. The Blues keep on pushing with Paraguay holding their zones perfectly after half an hour.
2.53 am: Early yellow card for France
A reckless swinging challenge from Bradley Barcola on Juan Jose Caceres sees the former picking up an early yellow card in the match. The referee didn’t hesitate to reach his pockets after the challenge.
2.50 am: France dominate possession
With 86 per cent possession, France is dominating the match with the pacey wingers trying to break the South American defence. Paraguay cling on.
2.35 am: The match kicks off with France being the clear favourites
The second fixture of the Round of 16 kicks off with Paraguay eyeing yet another upset, while France aims to continue their dominant run. Didier Deschamps deploys a 4-2-3-1 to counter Paraguay’s 5-4-1.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP | MOROCCO VS CANADA | HIGHLIGHTS
Morocco thumped co-hosts Canada 3-0 at the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup late Sunday. All the goals came in the second half for the Atlas Lions with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice in the 50th and 82nd minutes. The third goal came from Soufiane Rahimi just before the final whistle.
With this, Morocco have sealed their quarter-final berth in which they will face France or Paraguay.
Meanwhile, for Canada, the only silver lining was the first 30 minutes of the match. However, they failed to capitalise on their chances, leaving the game scoreless at halftime.
Canada’s historic run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to an end.
12.35 am: Morocco are off to the quarters
After a wobbly first 30 minutes, Morocco dominated the game, thrashing co-host Canada in the Round of 16. They now march on to the quarter-final.
12.32 am: GOAL! Rahimi makes it three for Morocco
Diaz gave a through ball in the final third to Rahimi, who calmly finished past the Canadian goalkeeper to make it 3-0 for Morocco.
12.16 am: GOAL! Morocco scores again
Morocco doubled their lead. Diaz ripped open the Canadian defence with an electrifying counter-attack before Ounahi finished off in the top corner from inside the D-box.
12.10 am: Free-kick for Canada in a dangerous position
Canada gets a free-kick just outside the penalty box with Jonathan David firing it wide. It’s 1-0 still.
12 am: Morocco turns the tables, puts pressure on Canada
Morocco has been dominating the match since it scored the goal. With 62 per cent possession and 88 per cent pass accuracy, it’s all Morocco in the last fifteen minutes.
11.44 pm: GOAL! Morocco takes the lead
A clever pass from Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi from a dead-ball situation was met with a one-touch finish into the bottom right corner from midfielder Azzedine Ounahi. WHAT A FINISH!
11.23 pm: 0-0 at half time
As Canada eyes history, the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists are under considerable pressure. Both teams walk off the pitch at 45 minutes at 0-0. Canada made four attempts on goal, Morocco one.
11.03 pm: Canada forces Morocco to make errors
With just 38 per cent possession, Canada’s off-the-ball movement is forcing Morocco to make errors in the midfield.
10.53 pm: MAJOR blow for Morocco as Saibari walks off the pitch
Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari walks off the pitch limping. A big blow for MOROCCO. Canada continues to dominate.
10.41 pm: Canada’s shot saved by Bounou
A spectacular turn from a Canadian forward Tani Oluwaseyi deceives the defender, and a left-footed shot. But, Bounou with a HUGE SAVE! 11 minutes in and it’s all about Canada.
10.37 pm: Canada puts pressure on African darkhorse
The match has been a high-tempo affair since the beginning, with Canada pressing on vigorously, forcing Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to make two saves
10.30 pm: And the first Round of 16 match starts
Canada deploys a classic 4-4-2 formation with three changes. Meanwhile, Morocco resorts to 4-2-3-1 formation.
:flag-ca: :vs: :flag-ma:
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