Paraguay 0-1 France - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Paraguay 0-1 France - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Tournament favourites France faced fearless underdogs Paraguay at the Philadelphia Stadium in a mouth-watering World Cup Round of 16 clash. Fresh from their dramatic penalty shootout victory over Germany, Paraguay had already defied the odds to reach this stage, but an even greater challenge now awaited.

Standing in their way was a French side in scintillating form, with Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Kylian Mbappé all closing in on double figures for goals and assists. Les Bleus looked unstoppable, but Paraguay had already shown they were more than capable of producing another shock.

After a few controversial referee calls, and a game characterised by bullish defending, Deschamps' side progressed to the Round of 16.

Paraguay 0-1 France As It Happened

The game started slowly for both teams, but France looked to have the upper hand as both sides entered the first hydration break. Paraguay had a few half chances, but nothing significant.

After the hydration break, Paraguay managed to break through the French backline, but nothing troubled Mike Maignan. France tried to string together a few moments of brilliance, but Paraguay held firm.

Towards the end of the first half, Jules Kounde was the driving power for France, adopting an inverted role in the midfield. However, his efforts didn't break Paraguay.

As the players disappeared down the tunnel at half-time, frustration was etched across the faces of the French players, while Paraguay walked off brimming with belief. The underdogs knew they had a genuine chance of pulling off another famous upset.

Halftime Score: Paraguay 0-0 France

After the break, Paraguay looked the stronger side through Miguel Almiron. The former Newcastle man burst through the heart of the French defence only to be tackled before executing a shot, winning a corner for his side. France were firmly on the backfoot, and although they defended the corner well, they struggled to get it out of danger.

Against the run of play, Mbappe broke down the other end to win a corner for Framce. Taken quicky, Dembele went for goal after piercing into the box, only for his shot to hit the side netting.

After that, France looked as if they had a newfound confidence to their play, with Bradley Barcola causing problems for the Paraguayans. However, Juan Cáceres was a rock at the back, stopping absolutely everything that came in his wake.

After the hour mark, France turned to the bench to bring on Désiré Doué, who instantly livened things up in the final third. Darting into the box, Doué was brought down into the box which prompted a VAR check for a penalty.

After a quick check, France were awarded a penalty. Mbappé stepped up to take it and scored effortlessly, sending the keeper the wrong way to bag his 7th goal of the tournament, drawing him level with Messi at the top. Never in doubt.

Paraguay now had to do something different if they wanted to give themselves any chance in this game. As the teams went in for the final hydration break, it was do or die for the South Americans.

Paraguay looked as if they were out of ideas, hopelessly clutching at any loose ends they picked up from France, and with just under 10 minutes to go, it looked as if they were going home.

Deschamps' side were in complete control and expressed themselves on the field. Mbappé tried his luck from long range which forced a fine save from Orlando Gill, and as the clock entered stoppage time, France's progression was looking increasingly more likely despite only having a one goal margin.

France nearly doubled their lead with 4 minutes to go in stoppage time, but a double save from Orlando Gill kept Paraguay fighting.

Despite a last minute corner, Paraguay couldn't find their moment, and France progressed through to the quarter-finals.

Full Time Score: Paraguay 0-1 France

Paraguay Player Ratings

• Orlando Gill (7)
• Gustavo Velázquez (6)
• Gustavo Gómez (6)
• Omar Alderete (6)
• Juan Cáceres (8)
• Júnior Alonso (6)
• Miguel Almirón (7)
• Diego Gómez (6)
• Andrés Cubas (7)
• Matías Galarza (6)
• Julio Enciso (6)
• José Canale (6)
• Gustavo Caballero (6)
• Mauricio (6)
• Gabriel Ávalos (6)

France Player Ratings

• Mike Maignan (7)
• Jules Koundé (7)
• Dayot Upamecano (7)
• William Saliba (7)
• Lucas Digne (7)
• Kouadio Koné (6)
• Adrien Rabiot (7)
• Ousmane Dembélé (6)
• Michael Olise (6)
• Bradley Barcola (5)
• Kylian Mbappé (7)
• Désiré Doué (8)

Man Of The Match - Juan Cáceres

The Dinamo Moscow fullback was inspired tonight and was incredibly unlucky with the result. For the majority of the game, he handled his channels fantastically.

Cáceres made countless last ditch tackles and left nothing out there today, him and Paraguay will go home with their heads held high.

Bad Day In The Office -Bradley Barcola

It just didn't fall for Bradley Barcola today, with the PSG winger being flustered on many occasions.

Luckily for him, France went through, but there would have been some awkward conversations if this wasn't the case.