France vs. Paraguay Live World Cup 2026 Updates, Scores and Highlights

Plenty of fans agree

Lenient... sure...

Lots of fouls, not many cards

Perfectly sums it up

It was a pretty astonishing way to ref a game, to be fair

France is through to the World Cup quarter-finals after a 1-0 win over Paraguay.

In a match that started slowly, the French crept their way into a rhythm, dominating possession and forcing Paraguay out of their low block. 

Though the match reflected the heat and humidity that blanketed the City of Philadelphia, Les Bleus held on, although it took until the second half to do so.

Before that happened, the first half was uneventful outside a tiny scuffle and a few half-chances from the French.

In the second 45, however, France kicked it into another gear.

The substitution of Desire Doue for Bradley Barcola was the key to unlocking a stingy Paraguayan defense. Not ten minutes after the PSG winger came on, the French won a penalty off the 21-year-old's trickery in the box. 

Kylian Mbappe would slot it in a few moments later in the 70th minute, and the 2018 World Cup winners never looked back.

Several injuries to Paraguay, which included defender Omar Alderete, Julio Enciso, and Miguel Almiron, in addition to a tactical change that saw ex-Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez forced off, killed all the momentum the Paraguayans had. 

France would manage to wind down the game after that, bringing on Rayan Cherki to shore up the midfield on their way to the next round. 

The French will now take on Morocco on Thursday, July 9th, at 4:00 PM ET in Boston, in what is sure to be a highly anticipated match.

Paraguay will head home after a strong campaign. 

Orlando Gill is a large man

Pretty short VAR review

Mbappé tucks away penalty won by Doué

Presented with no context

It's not the journey, it's the destination

Orlando Gill using all of his 6'6'' frame to make first save of the day

First time we've seen the superstar have a chance to run past Paraguay's defense

In the sweltering heat of a typical Philadelphian summer, France and Paraguay battled to a 0-0 draw at halftime, in conditions that would call for an outdoor barbecue, fitting given the July 4th weekend in the United States.

Weather aside, the play on the pitch couldn't match the heat that was lingering in the air, with both France and Paraguay looking lackadaisical during the first 15 minutes. 

Looking at the French, without Aurelien Tchouameni, who was out because of injury, manager Didier Deschamps opted for AS Roma midfielder Manu Kone. The 25-year-old worked well alongside Adrien Rabiot, with the pair attempting to make their mark in attack with half-hearted shots on target in the 22nd and 33rd minutes.

However, as the game went on, the French found a rhythm, which quickly frustrated Paraguay, who were working hard in a 5-4-1 low block. 

Spearheaded by the attacking front line of Julio Ensico, Miguel Almiron, and Matias Galarza, the Paraguayans stymied most of France's dangerous attacking chances.

While the South American side lost the possession battle 79% to 21%, their defensive solidity could cause Les Bleus trouble in the second half. As we've seen in this tournament, it's never over until the final whistle blows.

Could Paraguay pull off the impossible? 

Already hot in Philly, now its getting spicy

Left his man motionless

A HOT one for France and Paraguay - winner into the quarterfinals

Maybe one hydration break per half isn't enough 😅

Koné and Rabiot in midfield behind THAT front four

Playing like a true No. 10

Morocco are through to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals after a 3-0 win against Canada.

The Maple Leafs looked by far the most threatening team in the first half, with Tani Oluwaseyi drawing a fine save from Yassine Bounou after 10 minutes. 

But it was Morocco that took the lead just after the start of the second period with a training-ground free-kick routine. After Luc de Fougerolles felled substitute Soufiane Rahimi on the right-hand side of the box, Achraf Hakimi stepped up and drilled a pass to his left to Azzedine Ounahi. The 26-year-old struck a first-time shot through a crowd of players and into the bottom right corner, leaving goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau with no chance. 

After the opening goal, the game suddenly opened up, with both Canada and Morocco going for it in search of an equalizer and a cushion, respectively. That left some big gaps in both back lines, with Morocco in particular living dangerously despite being in front. 

That risk paid off, though, with the Atlas Lions breaking away on the counterattack in the 80th minute. It looked like Brahim Diaz might have spurned the opportunity, but he cut back to Ounahi, who smashed home his second and left Canada with no route back. 

Rahimi nearly made it three for Morocco, but his free header from near the penalty spot cannoned off the crossbar. However, he made up for it with seconds to spare, capitalizing on another Morocco breakaway and slotting home from just inside the box. 

France or Paraguay will be up next for Morocco, with the quarterfinal taking place in Boston on July 9 at 4 p.m. ET. Les Bleus and La Albirroja play at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday. 

Canada, meanwhile, will head home, although it will reflect fondly on a historic tournament that saw it win its first-ever World Cup knockout-round game.

First-half sub Rahimi gets on the scoresheet

Morocco's playmaker finished with four assists in the tournament so far

Just off the wrong side of the crossbar

Two goals in the Round of 16, big-time performance

Perfect set piece execution

It's 0-0 at halftime of the opening round-of-16 game at the 2026 World Cup.

Morocco has dominated possession, but Canada looks the most incisive, putting together some lovely passing moves to cut through Morocco's defensive third.

The best chance fell to Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi after 10 minutes, who connected with a delightful through ball, dragged it back to bamboozle the Morocco defender, and found himself with the goal at his mercy. His low strike was well saved by Yassine Bounou's outstretched leg, though. 

The exit of Ismael Saibari due to injury in the 22nd minute is concerning for the Atlas Lions now and if they progress further in the tournament, with the 25-year-old being Morocco's best goal threat. The Maple Leafs will see that as an unexpected opportunity to focus more energy on their attacking efforts and grab an unlikely victory.

Morocco will have to play without their leading scorer at the World Cup

Great build-up play by the Canadians

The Round of 16 starts NOW

Alphonso Davies still on the bench, Morocco full strength

Fans witness wild goal while taking shelter from Brooklyn storm

Cabo Verde family are everything right now

Been some iconic moments in the past