Paraguay 0-1 France: FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16 – as it happened

Our comprehensive World Cup coverage continues into tomorrow.

First, we have Brazil take on Norway, in what promises to be an attacking affair. The live blog begins at 17:00 GMT.

Following that, we have England playing Mexico in their backyard, with the live blog set to start at 21:00 GMT.

It’s nearly time for our next game 👊#ThreeLions | @EASPORTSFC. pic.twitter.com/Z0xrrQGZfZ

— England (@England) July 4, 2026

11 – Since the 2018 tournament, Kylian Mbappé has scored more goals in the knockout stages of the World Cup (11) than…

Brazil (10)
England (10)
Portugal (9)
Spain (4)

Relentless. pic.twitter.com/i9fCkjneAU

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 4, 2026

Kylian Mbappé continues to chase down Lionel Messi.

The Frenchman’s penalty takes him to 19 goals in World Cups; only Messi (20) has more. pic.twitter.com/gD1SoLln8h

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 4, 2026

Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill, who was adjudged Player of the Match, spoke with the host broadcaster: “I think we can leave with our heads held high. We gave it all on the pitch.

“I believe we could have gone much further had it not been for that penalty, as we controlled the game very well.

“We didn’t even let them get past us with a single pass. As for the penalty decision, I think it was the right one.”

0 – Today against France, Paraguay didn’t pick up a single card in a FIFA World Cup match for the first time since 1998 against Nigeria.

Gentlemanly. pic.twitter.com/wb8buLGNwu

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 4, 2026

France manager Didier Deschamps shared his thoughts on the match: “Playing against South American teams is always tough.

“Of course, things would have been more comfortable had we converted our chances on those last two occasions. But they try all sorts of tactics.

“Perhaps that wasn’t the reason, though. We didn’t lose our focus, but the physical nature of the game made it difficult. They were intent on defending well.

“Frankly, the heat took precedence over the intensity. And they defended well even without that intensity.

“They committed fouls that went unpunished. It’s hard to rile up [Michael] Olise, but they managed to do it. They tried the same with [Kylian] Mbappe but didn’t succeed.

“That’s actually why I had to substitute Mbappe during the match against Uruguay in 2018.”

France forward Kylian Mbappe spoke with the host broadcaster after the match: “If we have to get our hands dirty, we’ll do it. Apologies for the expression.

“They thought we’d just turn up in tuxedos, make a few flashy moves and play a few passes. We know how to play rough football too.

“That’s exactly what we did today – we won. We were even better than them at that.

“That is their style of play. Everyone plays with the resources at their disposal. There is no right or wrong way to play football.

“There is only one way, and that is to win. They tried to attack us that way, but we responded in kind.”

Prior to the hydration break, France had 81% possession.

They’ve just one shot to show for their possession. pic.twitter.com/ntxpShb0ol

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 4, 2026

Click here to read our full report following France’s win.

In the first 10 minutes of this match, France attempted 58 passes in the final third.

Paraguay only attempted 13 anywhere on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/P653bHcTZC

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 4, 2026

Kylian Mbappé a marqué son 7e but de la compétition ! 🔥

🇵🇾0-1🇫🇷 l #PARFRA l #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/172RdRUBqA

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 4, 2026

It was an attritional battle here in Philadelphia, with Mbappe’s penalty the difference.

France have scored a minimum of three goals in their first four matches, but they really had to dig deep to put away a disciplined and defensive Paraguayan side.

In the end, France had 76 percent of possession, created 15 shots to Paraguay’s five, and compiled a staggering 552 passes to the South Americans’ 175.

Full-time: Paraguay 0-1 France 

𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗗𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗘 ! 🤩🔥

Au terme d’un combat intense face au Paraguay, nos Bleus décrochent leur qualification et poursuivent leur aventure dans cette Coupe du Monde. 🇫🇷👊

🇵🇾 0-1 🇫🇷 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/QIb8GckIKj

— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) July 4, 2026

After the final whistle, the Paraguay and French camps come together for a war of words.

It has been a tense battle, but there is no need for this, especially with the final outcome decided.

Paraguay take too long with their awarded free kick, and the referee blows the final whistle.

Full-time: Paraguay 0-1 France 

Second Half ends, Paraguay 0, France 1.

It is deep on the left flank after Mbappe is brought down by Caceres.

Mbappe takes it to the corner flag to force Paraguay into conceding a corner.

90+10 mins: Paraguay 0-1 France 

Mauricio fires an inswinging attempt from the right side, into the box.

Maignan rushes out and is able to settle French nerves with a competent interception midair.

90+9 mins: Paraguay 0-1 France 

Doue gets on a run down the left side. He slips a pass to Mbappe on his right.

Mbappe rushes into the box, then fires a testing shot at Gill. The keeper keeps the first shot out, but can’t prevent the rebound back to the French forward.

Mbappe shoots again, this time aiming for the tight gap at the near post, but Gill dives well to his right to keep it out. That should have been France’s second there!

90+6 mins: Paraguay 0-1 France 

Michael Olise (France) is shown the yellow card.

It is their 11th of the match. Olise plays it short to Doue from the right side.

But France give the ball away, handing Paraguay a counterattacking opportunity.

But the weighted ball forward ends up going out of bounds at the left touchline for a French throw-in.

90+5 mins: Paraguay 0-1 France