France and Mbappe ‘get hands dirty’ to survive Paraguay’s dark arts
France and Mbappe ‘get hands dirty’ to survive Paraguay’s dark arts
Sam Dean Sun, July 5, 2026 at 12:37 AM UTC
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Kylian Mbappé wheels away in celebration after France finally broke the resolve of Paraguay to set up a quarter-final meeting with Morocco - Dan Mullan/Getty Images
France were kicked, punched, prodded and provoked by Paraguay, but at no point were they rattled. If anything, Kylian Mbappé and his team-mates regarded these cynical acts by their South American opponents with utter disdain.
The defining image of this strange match was the French players simply laughing in the faces of their angry opponents. By the end, the evening had become far more of a comedy than a drama, with most spectators simply baffled by Paraguay’s misguided efforts to start a fight with anyone in a blue shirt.
Paraguay arrived here after a fairytale victory over Germany, yet their only intention in sweltering Philadelphia was to play the villain, in what appeared to be a desperate attempt to invoke a red card for a French player.
As dark arts go, these were almost pitch black. At one point in the first half, with the ball elsewhere on the pitch, Paraguay’s Matías Galarza seemingly attempted to punch Mbappé in the chest. At other moments, Galarza pushed Jules Koundé in the face and Dayot Upamecano was elbowed in the ribs.
Extraordinarily, Paraguay did all this without receiving a single yellow card during the game. Ilgiz Tantashev, the Uzbek referee, evidently has a higher tolerance level than any other match official in this competition. Perhaps his judgment had melted in the Philadelphia heat, which was truly brutal. At kick-off, the temperature was 37 degrees.
“It was important to us to play a game like this during this World Cup, to remind everyone that the French team knows how to play beautiful football but also knows how to wage war,” said Rayan Cherki, the France midfielder.
Mbappé, who will lead his team against Morocco in the quarter-finals, added: “If we have to get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We know how to play dirty football. They thought we were going to come and play in tuxedos.”
Everyone loves an underdog, except an underdog that plays like Paraguay did here. Even in the crucial moment of the game, as Mbappé prepared to take the decisive penalty kick, his opponents were still looking to be as underhand as possible. Gustavo Velázquez attempted to slyly kick up the turf on the spot. He was seen by Ousmane Dembélé, Mbappé’s France team-mate, who responded by bursting into laughter.
Ousmane Dembele (second right) laughs at Gustavo Velazquez (right) who had tried to kick up the turf on the penalty spot - Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Dembélé, clearly, knew that such dirty tricks would have no impact on Mbappé. The France captain promptly won the game for his team, as he converted his seventh goal of this tournament and his 19th overall in World Cups. He is now level with Lionel Messi in the race for the 2026 Golden Boot and one behind him in the all-time scoring charts.
France were successful on two counts here. Firstly, by eventually finding a way through Paraguay’s deep-lying defence, when Désiré Doué’s mazy dribble earned the second-half penalty. Secondly, by mostly rising above the shamelessness of their opponents. Even in this heat the French stayed cool, apart from the few occasions when they gave some stick back to their opponents.
Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill, so irritated by Mbappé, threw the ball at the striker’s back after the final whistle. Didier Deschamps, the France manager, was actually so concerned that Paraguay would injure his captain that he instructed the “two strongest guys” to protect him in the final moments.
“I had prepared the players,” said Deschamps. “The players were expecting this game. I do not want to criticise Paraguay but there were insults from the other bench which I could have done without.”
12:27am
Micah Richards on the BBC
“Paraguay are better than that. Defensively, they were so good and they did not need to get into these antics. It was embarrassing to see. They tried to draw France into that, and they nearly did.”
12:24am
Joe Hart on the BBC
“I love how [Kylian] Mbappe has behaved in this game. The Paraguay players have come for him from minute one. When he was laughing at the players, he was allowed to be arrogant but the Paraguay players were an absolute disgrace tonight. If they were on my team, I would be dragging half of them off the pitch. I would never want to win that way and I would never want to play football that way. The referee did not help in any circumstances. The fact that not one Paraguayan was booked inside the 90 minutes is astonishing.”
12:23am
Quite remarkable!
12:19am
Memories of four years ago
This win for France earns them a spot in the quarter-finals, where they will take on Morocco. That will be a repeat of the 2022 semi-finals, a game in which France won 2-0 thanks to goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.
12:16am
Finally, a card!
Paraguay managed to get through the whole game without picking up a yellow card but one of their coaches did get shown a yellow after the final whistle. Somehow, France got three bookings and Paraguay got zero. That is an absolute joke.
12:13am
The rest of the last-16 ties
Sunday:Brazil vs Norway
Monday:Mexico vs EnglandPortugal vs Spain
Tuesday:USA vs BelgiumArgentina vs EgyptSwitzerland vs Colombia
12:08am
FT stats
Possession: Paraguay 24%-76% FranceShots: 5-15Shots on target: 1-5Corners: 2-12Touches in opposition box: 5-24
12:04am
Full time
There is the final whistle and France have got the job done. It has not been pretty but they book their place in the quarter-finals, where they will take on Morocco on Thursday. Frankly, Paraguay’s players have been an absolute disgrace and France will be relieved that none of their players have been injured. The referee really did not help matters today as he allowed Paraguay to get away with murder. There is then chaos at the final whistle and for some reason which I cannot fathom the Paraguay coaches are getting angry at the officials. It should be the French coaches who are furious with the officials. Didier Deschamps will also be relieved that none of his players got sent off reacting to the appalling behaviour of the Paraguay players. It would have been understandable had any of the French players reacted furiously.
12:03am
90+9 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Caceres commits another foul on Mbappe and again escapes without a yellow card. That is a booking on its own, let alone all the other fouls Caceres has committed.
12:02am
90+8 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Paraguay have a late, late corner and this could be their last chance. Galarza has thrown himself to the ground and honestly he has been absolute joke.
The corner is then taken but Maignan easily catches it.
12:01am
90+7 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Mbappe has two chances in quick succession to seal the victory but is denied by two fine Gill saves.
Then, Olise is booked for absolutely nothing as he and the infamous Galarza come to blows. France are now up to three bookings, Paraguay still somehow have zero!
12:00am
90+6 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Maignan nearly has a complete brain fart. Digne covers inside his own box and heads back to his own keeper, who nearly drops the ball straight into the feet of Mauricio.
11:59pm
90+5 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
This game is getting out of control and the referee has zero authority. Galarza has been dirty today as he was against Germany the other day and hits Kounde in the face off the ball yet somehow gets away with it. This is out of hand now and is beyond a joke.
11:56pm
90+1 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Another foul from Paraguay that does not result in a yellow card. Galarza, who is now onto foul number five thousand, is not booked for a sliding challenge on Olise.
11:54pm
90 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Mauricio has a shot from range but it is a fairly routine save for Maignan.
There will be ten minutes of additional time. Ten! Where on earth has that come from?
Paraguay have not even completed 100 passes in this game as we enter added time.
11:53pm
88 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
France win the ball back and counter. Mbappe drives at the Paraguay penalty area and shoots but it is a fairly comfortable save for Gill.
11:51pm
87 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
It is quite remarkable that we are reaching the end of the 90 minutes yet no Paraguay player has been booked.
11:50pm
86 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Paraguay have not remotely looked like scoring for the entirety of this game and are running out of time to find an equaliser.
11:48pm
84 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
France are going to make their second change of the game as Cherki replaces Dembele, who has been pretty quiet today.
11:46pm
81 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
We have seen just the second yellow of the card of the game yet, amazingly, both have gone to France as Kone is booked for a foul on Caceres. It was probably a yellow card but certainly not if you take into account all the challenges from Paraguay that have not resulted in yellow cards.
11:44pm
80 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
As we head into the final 10 minutes of normal time, what have Paraguay got? Now that they are behind, they have no choice but to be more attacking than they have been.
11:42pm
77 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
How has Caceres not been penalised there? He kicks out at Mbappe from the ground and clearly kicks Mbappe in the leg. You have seen those given as red cards yet Caceres received no punishment.
11:38pm
73 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
Cubas takes out Rabiot for what feels like his millionth foul of the game and yet has still not been booked. Mind-boggling!
As we head for the hydration break, things kick off again as Mbappe is not happy with the Paraguay players and you cannot blame him. The conduct of the Paraguay players is appalling as they are simply going around kicking and fouling the French players.
Tensions have well and truly boiled over - Jeenah Moon/Reuters
11:36pm
71 mins: Paraguay 0 France 1
In light of France taking the lead, Paraguay have made a raft of substitutions as they need to change things up now they are behind. Mauricio and Avalos come on.
11:33pmKey moments • Goals
GOAL! Mbappe puts France ahead from the spot
Despite Paraguay’s delay tactics and attempts to scuff up the penalty spot, Mbappe makes no mistake. He steps up, sends the keeper the wrong way and deposits his penalty into the bottom right corner. Cool, calm and collected.
Makes no mistake - Derik Hamilton/AP
Another World Cup goal for Kylian Mbappe - Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Mbappe is ahead of Messi based on assists:
11:31pmAnalysis
PENALTY FRANCE!
This feels like quite a straightforward decision. D Gomez gets none of the ball and trips Doue, who has made an instant impact in the few minutes he has been on. The referee changes his decision and points to the spot.
I wonder who is going to take it...
Great impact by Desire Doue after replacing Bradley Barcola. His close control in tight areas and willingness to dribble has made a big difference.
11:30pm
66 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Doue receives the ball on the left and skips past a few Paraguay defenders. He moves into the Paraguay penalty area and then goes down, wanting a penalty but those appeals are waved away. There is contact from D Gomez on Doue and it looks like it could well be a penalty. VAR is rightly taking a look and the referee is being sent to the screen...
11:28pm
64 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
I have to say some of the decisions from the referee have been mind-boggling as he fails to penalise Cubas for a clear foul on Doue just outside the Paraguay penalty area. He has definitely shown some leniency towards the Paraguay players.
11:25pmAnalysis
61 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
I think Paraguay are starting to feel the effects of the work they are having to do off the ball in this heat. First Alderete had to go off, now Enciso does and he is replaced by Caballero.
France are making their first change of the game as Doue replaces his PSG teammate Barcola.
There’s a lot of hype and transfer speculation around Barcola but that was a deeply unimpressive showing by the PSG winger, who has been hooked for Doue. His final act was to fire a shot so far over the bar that it almost reached the same altitude as Mexico City.
11:24pm
59 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
That would have been a stunning solo goal from Barcola. He receives it out on the left, beats two Paraguay defenders and then tries to get his shot away from inside the box but Caceres gets back having initially been beaten by Barcola to take it off him at the crucial moment. Barcola has been a bit quiet so far but that was nearly very good.
11:22pm
58 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Sunderland defender Alderete has gone down and it looks like he will be replaced. Canale, who scored Paraguay’s winning penalty against Germany, will replace him.
11:20pm
57 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
France have had plenty of corners in this game before the hour mark but have not taken advantage of them whatsoever.
11:19pm
55 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
That is a good save from Gill. Kone shoots from range and looks to pick out the top corner but is denied by a fine one-handed save from Gill. Olise’s corner is easily cleared away at the front post.
Paraguay holding France at the moment - Derik Hamilton/AP
11:18pmAnalysis
54 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Thankfully for all the players, the vast majority of the pitch is now in shade here. The weather app on my phone still says 36 degrees but it won’t be quite as intense as it was in the first 20 minutes or so. This should, hopefully, help to add a bit more energy and excitement to the game.
11:16pm
52 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
That is a big missed opportunity by Mbappe. He is played in behind the Paraguay defence by Maignan and seems set for a glorious one-on-one chance but his first touch is poor, allowing Caceres to get back and put it behind for a corner. Paraguay are incensed as they believed that Mbappe’s first touch was off his arm and they are correct. It should have been given a handball. Mbappe takes a quick corner short to find Dembele, who fires into the side netting. Paraguay would have been fuming had France scored.
11:14pm
50 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
After a mistake from Upamecano inside his own half, Almiron wins Paraguay their first corner of the game out on the right. Almiron takes but his inswinger is punched away slightly unconvincingly by Maignan.
11:13pm
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49 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
For now, Didier Deschamps has decided to stick with his midfield two of Kone and Rabiot but you would imagine if it remains goalles for another 10/15 minutes that Deschamps would take one of those two off to put on a more attacking player like Cherki, Doue or Akliouche.
11:11pm
47 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Here is a statistic for you; we are nearly 50 minutes into this game and Paraguay are still yet to receive a booking. France’s Barcola is the only man to get a yellow card so far for a challenge that was barely even a foul.
11:09pm
Second half
Much to the relief of the players, the majority of the pitch is now in the shade. The fans are dancing along to the Macarena just before the second half begins.
We are back under way in Philadelphia. No changes for either side at the break.
11:01pmAnalysis
Verdict at the break
Very lopsided performance by France. Their right-sided players have seen loads of the ball (Dembele has had 48 touches, Kounde has had 51) and the left flank has done nothing. Barcola has been comparatively very quiet, with only 23 touches.
10:59pm
HT stats
Possession: Paraguay 20%-80% FranceShots: 2-5Shots on target: 0-0Corners: 0-7Touches in opposition box: 0-12
Lots of the ball for France but they have not done much with it.
10:52pm
Half-time
The first half is brought to a close and it remains goalless in Philadelphia. Paraguay will be delighted with how the opening 45 minutes have gone and their goal has actually not been threatened much at all in the first half. France will be frustrated.
10:49pm
45 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
There will be three added minutes at the end of this first half.
10:48pm
44 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
When France played Sweden in the Round of 32, it did take them until the 45th minute to score and then went on to win 3-0.
10:45pmAnalysis
41 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Paraguay are here to spoil, rattle and irritate the French. And understandably so. They seemed to be waiting for that scuffle.
10:44pm
40 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Dembele cuts inside from the right and his shot from just inside the box takes a deflection taking it behind for a corner. Meanwhile off the ball Mbappe is taken out off the ball by Galarza, who is very lucky not to be booked for that.
The delivery goes beyond the back post but Mbappe cannot guide his header on target. Mbappe appeared to be being fouled by Caceres as he tried to head the ball but the referee does not agree. Caceres is probably a touch fortunate there.
Tensions simmering in the Philadelphia heat - Dylan Martinez/Reuters
10:39pm
35 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Maignan is not happy. He catches a ball into his penalty area and Velazquez deliberately lies on him, not allowing him to get up. It was pretty clear what Velazquez was doing there.
Then, moments later, tensions completely boil over and it kicks off after Mbappe wins a free-kick. France are not happy with the tactics of Paraguay, who are trying to delay the game as much as possible and make it a stop-start game. Cubas was lucky not to be booked for the initial foul on Mbappe. All’s well that ends well though as Mbappe and Caceres are now chuckling.
10:37pm
33 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
After a lovely Olise stepover, Rabiot decides to shoot from range but he cannot keep his effort down and it sails into the crowd, which behind the Paraguay goal in this half contains a lot of Paraguay fans.
10:35pm
31 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
France have not really looked like scoring but could Mbappe have done better with that? Dembele whips in a lovely cross from the right that picks out Mbappe in the centre of the box. D Gomez does just enough to put Mbappe off and the latter cannot guide a header on target.
10:33pm
29 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Considering France’s front four and the form they are in, we were anticipating that Paraguay would be unable to frustrate them in the same way they did Germany. However, so far Paraguay are doing a good job of keeping France contained. The question though is whether they can keep it up for 90 minutes in this heat.
10:31pm
27 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
The crowd in Philadelphia were treated to Bruce Channel’s 1962 hit Hey! Baby during the hydration break, which is the song played whilst Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing is dancing on a log with Jennifer Grey’s Baby in an iconic scene. Ironically, at the same time as this game, ITV are currently showing Dirty Dancing!
10:27pmAnalysis
24 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Time for the hydration break, which on this occasion, is absolutely required. On so many occasions during this World Cup a hydration break has been completely unnecessary but this is a must for the two teams, maybe even for the fans to go and get a beverage!
Impressive start by Paraguay, who have got through to the first (much-needed) hydration break without conceding a clear chance. France are finding lots of space on the right flank but they haven’t done much with it yet.
10:26pm
22 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Kone, who is in for the injured Tchouameni today, takes on a shot from range that takes a deflection and goes narrowly wide. The corner comes to nothing.
10:23pm
20 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
The first booking of the game goes the way of France as Barcola is shown a yellow card for a foul on Caceres. The whole Paraguay bench are up and showing imaginary cards and the referee obliges. I am sorry but one replay shows how ridiculous a yellow card is for that. Barcola barely touches Caceres and when I say barely I really do mean it. It is barely a free-kick, let alone a booking.
10:20pm
17 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
As expected, France have had over 80% possession but thus far have been unable to create a genuine goal-scoring opportunity. Paraguay are well organised in their defensive shape with men behind the ball but they still have a lot of work ahead of them and in this heat that will be exhausting to just chase the ball for 90 minutes.
10:19pmAnalysis
13 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Diego Gomez, the Brighton midfielder, is a very good player. But he has just been made to look a fool by Kylian Mbappe, who inflicted the nastiest of nutmegs upon the Paraguay man. A stepover with the right leg, and then a gentle nudge of the ball through the legs with the outside of his left foot. See you later.
Naughty from Mbappe! - Matt Rourke/AP
10:14pm
10 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
France want a penalty as Rabiot goes down inside the box but those appeals are waved away. There was a slight nudge in the back by Caceres but Rabiot threw himself to the ground too easily and there was not enough in that to give a penalty.
10:13pm
8 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Not sure it’s Christmas quite yet is it? We are still in the heart of summer!
Already into the Christmas spirit? - Buda Mendes/Getty Images
10:07pm
4 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
Anyone who watched Paraguay’s Round of 32 match against Germany will know how they are going to set up tonight and perhaps it will be even more defensive, if that is possible. They have shifted to a back five tonight in a defensive move compared to the back four they started with against Germany. I suspect we are going to see a lot of attacking from France and a lot of defending from Paraguay.
10:05pm
2 mins: Paraguay 0 France 0
France attack from deep inside their own half and Kounde is able to carry the ball a long way down their right. As he approaches the Paraguay penalty area, he lays it out to his right to find Dembele, who looks for Mbappe in the centre of the box but the cross is intercepted and cleared.
10:03pm
Kick-off
We are under way in Philadelphia. Who will take on Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday; Paraguay of France? I think it is safe to say it would be a major shock if the answer to that question was Paraguay.
09:59pm
Reminder of the teams
Paraguay: Gill, Velazquez, Alderete, Caceres, Alonso, G. Gomez, D. Gomez, Almiron, Cubas, Galarza, Enciso. Substitutes: Fernandez, Olveira, Balbuena, Canale, Maidana, Sosa, Mauricio, Bobadilla, Ojeda, Caballero, Sanabria, Gamarra, Arce, Avalos, Pitta.
France: Maignan, Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappe, Olisa, Barcola. Substitutes: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konate, T. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Lacroix, Tchouameni, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doue, Mateta.
09:56pm
Anthem time
Both squads emerge into the searing heat of Philadelphia. Both sides must have been stood on the tunnels for about five minutes before they made their way onto the pitch. It is roasting and most of the pitch is still bathed in sunshine.
Now it is time for the national anthems. Paraguay’s Tetã Paraguái Momorãhéi followed by France’s La Marseillaise.
09:49pm
Pre-match entertainment
You may or may not be aware that today is the 250th birthday of the United States. As a consequence of these celebrations, it seems we are being treated to an America-themed pre-match show before this game. There are lots of stars, stripes and fireworks. Some fighter jets flew over the stadium, too, as singer Idina Menzel (famous for her roles in Wicked and Frozen) belted out the national anthem. What’s the relevance to France versus Paraguay, you ask? I don’t know. But sometimes it’s best not to question these things too intensely. Especially on today of all days.
Idina Menzel sings the US national anthem - Jeenah Moon/Reuters
250 years of independence - Jeenah Moon/Reuters
09:45pm
Have your say
09:40pmAnalysis
Creating
Michael Olise has been one of the standout players of this tournament and the Bayern Munich playmaker has a long-standing record in his sights: one more assist at this tournament would bring him level with Pele’s record of six at a World Cup. Pele did it in 1970. Given the quality of Olise’s passing, and the speed of the players in the France attack, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t overtake Pele by the end of this competition.
Michael Olise has been in good form so far at the tournament - Dylan Martinez/Reuters
09:34pm
Mbappe trying to close the gap on Messi
09:32pm
Thank goodness for air conditioning!
Good afternoon from Philadelphia, where it is extraordinarily and dangerously hot. The city is in the midst of a heatwave, with temperatures currently sitting at 37 degrees. An extreme heat warning has been issued, and I would describe it as the sort of heat that pummels you into exhaustion.
For the first time this tournament, I feel extremely grateful to be sitting in an air-conditioned press box. There are glass windows between the journalists and the action in many of these big American areas, which is usually quite frustrating but on this occasion is most welcome indeed. I really fear for the supporters who are sitting directly in the sun.
According to the weather reports, there is a decent chance that storms could hit us during this match. Brace yourselves for potential delays.
09:26pm
Routes to this stage
France:Group stages:June 13- USA 4 Paraguay 1June 20- Turkey 0 Paraguay 1June 26- Paraguay 0 Australia 0
Round of 32:June 29- Germany 1 Paraguay 1 (Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties)
Paraguay:Group stages:June 16- France 3 Senegal 1June 22- France 3 Iraq 0June 26- Norway 1 France 4
Round of 32:June 30- France 3 Sweden 0
09:22pm
Fancy a flutter?
09:17pm
Stars of France
09:13pm
Today’s games
Round of 32:Colombia 1 Ghana 0
Last 16:Canada 0 Morocco 3Paraguay vs France 10pm
Morocco became the first side to book their place in the quarter-finals courtesy of their 3-0 win over Canada just over an hour ago. They will play Paraguay or France on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium just outside of Boston.
09:06pm
Teams in full
Paraguay: Gill, Velazquez, Alderete, Caceres, Alonso, G. Gomez, D. Gomez, Almiron, Cubas, Galarza, Enciso. Substitutes: Fernandez, Olveira, Balbuena, Canale, Maidana, Sosa, Mauricio, Bobadilla, Ojeda, Caballero, Sanabria, Gamarra, Arce, Avalos, Pitta.
France: Maignan, Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappe, Olisa, Barcola. Substitutes: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konate, T. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Lacroix, Tchouameni, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doue, Mateta.
09:01pm
Happy 4th of July!
The Americans are making sure they enjoy Independence Day in the searing Philadelphia heat!
Enjoying the day - Mike Segar/Reuters
08:54pm
Trying to hide from the heat in any way possible!
It is nearly 40 degrees in Philadelphia right now! There is the potential for thunderstorms in the area later but we should get through the game before the risk of that increases.
Is that a Germany shirt I can see? - Mike Segar/Reuters
Sweltering conditions - Dylan Martinez/Reuters
08:48pm
France team
08:46pmKey moments
Could Paraguay cause another big shock to knock out the favourites?
It is very much a David vs Goliath match-up in the last 16 as Paraguay take on France in Philadelphia for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Coming into the tournament, there were 38 places between the sides in the world rankings, with France third and Paraguay down in 41st.
These sides did in fact meet at this stage of the competition at the 1998 World Cup. France were taken to extra time by Paraguay before winning on golden goal thanks to Laurent Blanc’s winner after 114 minutes in Lens on their way to winning the World Cup on home soil. France’s current head coach Didier Deschamps, who will step down after the tournament, started in their midfield that day. That was not the first time these nations have met at the World Cup; they also met all the way back in 1958, with France running out 7-3 winners. The last meeting came back in June 2017, with France easing to 5-0 win thanks to Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick.
Will Kylian Mbappe add another World Cup goal to his tally? - Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
France eased past Sweden in the quarter-finals, winning 3-0 in New Jersey thanks to goals from Bradley Barcola and a double from Kylian Mbappe. That brace took his tally in this tournament to six and 18 in his World Cup career. Thus far, France have won all four matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice. The last time they won their first four matches in a World Cup campaign was when they won it back in 1998 so could that be a good omen for Deschamps’ side?
Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup history as they defeated Germany on penalties at Gillette Stadium just outside Boston. They took the lead in that game thanks to Julio Enciso’s goal, which was their first-ever goal in the knockout stages at the World Cup. Kai Havertz’s equaliser took the game to penalties but Paraguay prevailed. That was just their second knockout victory having defeated Japan on penalties at this stage of the competition back in 2010. They welcome back Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez from suspension.
Paraguay have already delivered one major shock, could they do it again! - Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
The conditions are set to be very demanding in Philadelphia during the game, with temperatures in the mid to late 30s. Team news to follow shortly.
Source: “AOL Sports”
