Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal as France edged past Paraguay in a feisty World Cup last-16 encounter. Les Bleus walked out at the Philadelphia Stadium under beating sun and 39C heat, and their evening got no easier as they lined up opposite the Albirroja. They were aggressive and uncompromising throughout and came into the match in a low block, frustrating France in a bitty first half in which they did not record a shot on target.
The second half was much of the same, but Desire Doue did well to win a penalty after being tripped in the box, and, after considerable gamesmanship from Paraguay, Mbappe did well to dispatch the spot kick. Paraguay came out of their shell somewhat after going behind and threatened to equalise through ten minutes of injury time, but Les Bleus managed to get the result over the line and will progress.
Les Bleus will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals, after the Atlas Lions beat Canada earlier on Saturday. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis.
Paraguay vs France latest news
- GOAL! Mbappe gives France lead from the spot
FULL-TIME: Paraguay 0-1 France
00:04 , Arthur Ferridge
That does it! France progress!
Paraguay 0-1 France
00:04 , Arthur Ferridge
90+10mins: It is incredible that France have been booked three times in this match and Paraguay have yet to. Stunning.
Paraguay 0-1 France
00:02 , Arthur Ferridge
But before it can be taken, Galarza has thrown himself to the floor. Pathetic stuff from the River Plate man. The corner is eventually taken and is unproductive. Maignan claims.
Paraguay 0-1 France
00:01 , Arthur Ferridge
90+8mins: Saliba somehow contrives to play a clearance backwards and gift Paraguay a corner.
Paraguay 0-1 France
00:01 , Arthur Ferridge
90+7mins: Paraguay play out and Galarza ends up on the floor, with Olise booked for having grabbed his shirt. This is frantic stuff.
Paraguay 0-1 France
00:00 , Arthur Ferridge
90+6mins: WOW! Gill makes a brilliant double save to deny Mbappe on the counter!
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:59 , Arthur Ferridge
90+5mins: France play a poor corner and Paraguay counter, but the play is called back as Galarza catches Kounde in the face with a high hand. No booking given.
The entire Paraguay bench is on their feet and they are in full voice.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:57 , Arthur Ferridge
90+3mins: Gustavo Alfaro is absolutely furious with the standard of refereeing. He is remonstrating animatedly with every blow of the whistle.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:55 , Arthur Ferridge
90+2mins: Galarza clatters Olise with a clumsy late tackle, and inexplicably gets away without a booking. Again.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:54 , Arthur Ferridge
There will be ten added minutes!
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:54 , Arthur Ferridge
90mins: Mauricio receives the ball on the edge of the box, turns and shoots. His effort is not overly threatening, but does call Maignan into action for the first time today.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:53 , Arthur Ferridge
We are expecting a fair whack of stoppage time, particularly after all the, ahem, gamesmanship which preceded Mbappe’s penalty. Maybe eight or nine minutes? More?
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:52 , Arthur Ferridge
89mins: Mbappe makes a pacey run at goal but Gill pushes his curled effort away from danger.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:50 , Arthur Ferridge
86mins: Alonso gets a half-chance to shoot at goal but drags his left-footed effort wide.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:48 , Arthur Ferridge
84mins: Here comes Didier Deschamps’ favourite substitute. Rayan Cherki replaces Ousmane Dembele for the final six minutes of regular time.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:45 , Arthur Ferridge
81mins: Speak of the devil, there’s the second yellow card of the game. Kone takes down Caceres with a late tackle.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:44 , Arthur Ferridge
81mins: Avalos is caught on camera elbowing Upamecano in the ribs, but gets away scot-free.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:44 , Arthur Ferridge
79mins: The referee is slowly losing his grip on this match. It has been a testy afternoon, and he’s not really done much to stamp his authority on it. Bradley Barcola the only man booked so far.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:41 , Arthur Ferridge
78MINS: Mbappe fouls Caceres, and it seems the Paraguay man kicked out at the Real Madrid striker once he hit the floor! Somehow he gets away without a booking.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:40 , Arthur Ferridge
76mins: Paraguay have changed formation. They’re in a 4-4-2 now, adding an extra midfielder and one less defender. Let’s see what that does for them.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:39 , Arthur Ferridge
76mins: The second hydration break has been and gone. Time now for France to get the job done here.
Paraguay 0-1 France
23:35 , Arthur Ferridge
71mins: Paraguay respond with two more changes. Can France see this out now?
GOAL! Paraguay 0-1 France | Mbappe '
23:33 , Arthur Ferridge
Mbappe dispatches the penalty! France lead at long last.
23:33 , Arthur Ferridge
Some extreme gamesmanship from Paraguay to delay this penalty...
PENALTY! Paraguay 0-0 France
23:31 , Arthur Ferridge
Penalty to France! The referee points to the spot after checking the monitor.
Time for France’s second shot on target of the day... you’d hope.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:30 , Arthur Ferridge
The referee goes to the monitor...
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:30 , Arthur Ferridge
66mins: Doue is down in the box but does not get the decision he wants. Almiron breaks and covers most of the pitch before being dispossessed by Saliba, but immediately goes down holding his hamstring.
VAR are checking the Doue incident...
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:28 , Arthur Ferridge
63mins: Mbappe is the latest to try a speculative long-shot and miss the mark. Still just the one shot on target for France.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:24 , Arthur Ferridge
60mins: And another injury for Paraguay as Enciso comes off for Caballero.
France, meanwhile, bring on Doue for Barcola.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:23 , Arthur Ferridge
59mins: Barcola dances into the area with some sparkly footwork but Caceres denies him a shooting chance with a perfect standing tackle. He roars in celebration after the fact, and Barcola congratulates him on what was a supremely well-timed action.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:22 , Arthur Ferridge
59mins: Yes, dear reader, that is the same Jose Canale who scored the decisive fifth penalty which saw Paraguay beat Germany in a shootout last week.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:22 , Arthur Ferridge
58mins: Alderete came into this match carrying a knee injury - it was a surprise to see him in the matchday squad, let alone starting - but he has gone down now and will be replaced.
Canale comes on in his place.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:20 , Arthur Ferridge
56mins: For the umpteenth time this game, Gill catches a France corner. The set-piece has been so poor today.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:18 , Arthur Ferridge
54mins: Kone hits a line drive goalwards and draws a strong stop from Gill. Seemed destined for the top-right corner.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:17 , Arthur Ferridge
54mins: This match still has not seen a shot on target.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:17 , Arthur Ferridge
Gill is back to his feet and we continue.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:16 , Arthur Ferridge
51mins: That is so poor from Mbappe. Maignan sends a superb throw into Mbappe’s path - it is such a quality ball he puts the striker through one-on-one - but he is caught up by Velazquez and loses out.
He then takes the corner quickly, but Dembele cannot hit the target from a tight angle. Gill is injured in the process.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:14 , Arthur Ferridge
51mins: Maignan beats Almiron’s corner away somewhat unconvincingly, but gets the job done.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:13 , Arthur Ferridge
50mins: Opportunistic from Almiron, who nips onto a loose ball outside the France box and does well to win a corner - Paraguay’s first of the day.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:13 , Arthur Ferridge
49mins: Rabiot tries again from distance, but goes over. France yet to have a shot on target.
Paraguay 0-0 France
23:11 , Arthur Ferridge
47mins: Paraguay get the first set-piece of the half but Kounde does well to clear it. His header finds Olise, who is unceremoniously hacked down in his own half.
2ND HALF: Paraguay 0-0 France
23:08 , Arthur Ferridge
And we are back underway!
HALF-TIME
23:07 , Arthur Ferridge
We are about to get back underway, and there does not appear to be any changes for either side.
HALF-TIME: Paraguay 0-0 France
22:52 , Arthur Ferridge
Goalless at the break!
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:52 , Arthur Ferridge
45+3mins: Rabiot looks to chip a ball into the box, but there is no blue shirt to get on the end of it. Gill gets a goal kick which should end the half.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:50 , Arthur Ferridge
We are into three minutes of added time.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:47 , Arthur Ferridge
43mins: Kone has a crack from the edge of the D, but his strike doesn’t quite catch the top corner.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:45 , Arthur Ferridge
41mins: Olise drops this latest France corner right on Gill, but he does well to punch it clear to Digne, whose follow-up is deflected back into the Paraguayan keeper’s hands.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:43 , Arthur Ferridge
40mins: Mbappe is again wrestled to the ground as Dembele whips another corner in, but does not get the decision.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:43 , Arthur Ferridge
Duly, Mbappe is back to his feet and ready to continue. He did not get the foul.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:42 , Arthur Ferridge
38mins: Dembele’s deflected shot flies wide, but there is concern behind the play as Mbappe is down hurt!
He himself doesn’t appear to be injured, rather trying to catch the referee’s attention after Galaraza seemed to swipe at him off the ball.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:40 , Arthur Ferridge
36mins: Olise’s cross lands in the corridor of uncertainty but Cubas puts it behind.
Dembele comes again with a back-post corner, which Kounde lashes goalwards with a bouncing volley, but Gill makes the save.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:39 , Arthur Ferridge
35mins: France win a free-kick now on the edge of the Paraguay box, and there is a good bit of argy-bargy behind the ball. Cubas, for some reason, shoves Mbappe after having indisputably fouled him, and the benches clear. We move on, though, with a France set-piece.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:38 , Arthur Ferridge
34mins: Maignan claims the cross without any great consternation. Play on.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:37 , Arthur Ferridge
33mins: Rabiot says “why not” and shoots from about 25 yards, but his effort is always rising and flies well over.
Paraguay go down the other end and Enciso backs into Saliba, winning a free-kick in doing so.
Let’s see what they can make of this.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:35 , Arthur Ferridge
31mins: Mbappe is well positioned to make something of Dembele’s cross but just mistimes his header.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:34 , Arthur Ferridge
30mins: Dembele’s deflected cross bobbles across the face of goal, but France cannot capitalise on the territory. The move breaks down as Rabiot fouls his marker.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:32 , Arthur Ferridge
29mins: A driving run from Almiron has France backpedalling, but the attack amounts to two speculative long-shots from Enciso and Gomez, neither of which do much to upset Maignan.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:30 , Arthur Ferridge
26mins: We are back underway in Philadelphia. Let’s see if Deschamps' or Alfaro’s tweaks will have any effect.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:27 , Arthur Ferridge
And that takes us into the first hydration break...
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:26 , Arthur Ferridge
23mins: Kone’s shot there was France’s first of the match.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:25 , Arthur Ferridge
22mins: Gill is left rooted as Kone curls a shot wide of the left post. It was deflected, though, and France will have a corner.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:23 , Arthur Ferridge
19mins: Barcola goes into the book after inadvertently catching Caceres. Contact is minimal but the Frenchman was definitely late.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:20 , Arthur Ferridge
17mins: Olise can’t quite control Kounde’s pass in the Paraguay box.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:19 , Arthur Ferridge
15mins: Digne’s cross is too close to Gill, who gets his first meaningful touch on the ball this match.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:17 , Arthur Ferridge
13mins: France counter after a toothless Paraguay set-piece. Olise thinks he has been fouled in the process but does not get any sympathy from the referee.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:15 , Arthur Ferridge
12mins: Barcola makes a well-timed run in behind, but the cross he is chasing is just slightly overcooked and goes behind.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:14 , Arthur Ferridge
10mins: The pattern of this game is starting to emerge. Paraguay have sunk into a low block, and France are camped in the final third. It will be a matter of when, rather than if, Les Bleus open the scoring.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:10 , Arthur Ferridge
6mins: Some fancy footwork from Mbappe unlocks the Paraguay midfield. He finds Digne, who wins a corner, which comes to nothing. One-way traffic at the moment.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:07 , Arthur Ferridge
4mins: Olise lofts a searching cross towards Rabiot in the middle, but Paraguay clear their lines. That clearance makes it all the way out to Salbia, who is forced to put the ball out under pressure from Enciso.
Paraguay 0-0 France
22:05 , Arthur Ferridge
1mins: It is end-to-end in the first 52 seconds, with the ball ending up in both boxes but no shots coming from either side.
KICK-OFF! Paraguay 0-0 France
22:03 , Arthur Ferridge
And we’re off!
21:59 , Arthur Ferridge
Must say, that is an anthem and a half from Paraguay. Lively stuff. Gets the heartrate up before kick-off.
Maresellaise, not too shabby either.
Let’s get into this.
Here we go...
21:54 , Arthur Ferridge
The players are out and we will be underway shortly.
Temperature check - we’re sitting at a toasty 37C, which, per the weather app on my phone, feels like 39C.
The sun is beating down, too, without a cloud in the sky.
At least that means we should get through this match without the threat of thunder or lightning! Silver linings...
America 250`
21:49 , Arthur Ferridge
The America 250 festivities are done and dusted, after a lively performance from hip-hop troupe The Roots.
Walkouts and anthems up next...
Team news reminder
21:45 , Arthur Ferridge
With 15 minutes to kick-off, a reminder of today’s starting lineups.
Paraguay XI: Gill; Velazquez, Alderete, Cacaeres, Alonso, D. Gomez, G. Gomez, Almiron, Cubas, Galarza, Enciso
France XI: Maignan; Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappe, Olise, Barcola
America 250 ceremony
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge
At France v Paraguay, we begin with a celebration of America. pic.twitter.com/Gk1cnD75sG
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) July 4, 2026
You don't see this everyday
21:43 , Arthur Ferridge
Fans at the Philadelphia stadium are now being treated to a ceremony celebrating the United States’ 100th birthday.
It begins, perhaps unsurprisingly, with the national anthem.
Deschamps: France may struggle in Philadelphia heat
21:40 , Arthur Ferridge
France boss DIdier Deschamps says France will be ‘impacted’ by the heat in Philadelphia today, but that they are ready to knuckle down and get on with it.
“I was with (France assistant coach) Guy Stephan at the final and semi-final of the Club World Cup.
“We were in the stadium. We saw that it was quite hot, and we could discuss. And it did have an impact.
“Now, is this good for the players' health as soon as there are extreme conditions, whether it's heat or cold or a hard pitch? It's not ideal.
“But we didn't choose, so we adapt and we anticipate.”
Last time out: Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 on pens)
21:36 , Arthur Ferridge
Germany crashed out of the World Cup after they were beaten on penalties by Paraguay following a 1-1 draw in Boston in the round of 32.
The four-time world champions had never previously lost a shootout in the tournament, but that record was ended sensationally by the valiant South Americans, who defended manfully for 120 minutes before outstanding central defender Jose Canale hit the winning spot-kick in sudden death.
It came after Paraguay had twice blown match point to allow Germany back, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side had dominated the game sufficiently to have finished the tie long before that point.
Weather update
21:18 , Arthur Ferridge
The sun is continuing to beat down on the Philadelphia Stadium.
There is not a cloud in the sky as the temperature hits 37C, just under an hour before kick-off.
Thunderstorms are expected later in the evening, but not until long after this match is due to have concluded.
France vs Paraguay head to head
21:10 , Arthur Ferridge
France and Paraguay have met twice before in World Cup competition, with those matches coming in 1998 and 1958.
They required a golden goal from Laurent Blanc to progress from the round of 16 clash in 1998.
Their 1958 meeting came in the group stage, though. France won that match 7-3 thanks a hat-trick from Just Fontaine, and Paraguay were unlucky not to escape the group, losing out to Yugoslavia by just one point.
Paraguay wins: 0
France wins: 3
Draws: 2
Weather latest
21:02 , Arthur Ferridge
A French journalist representing Telefoot claims the surface temperature on some seats at the Philadelphia Stadium is approaching 70C!
Hard to say how accurate that reading is, but the fact of the matter remains that the conditions at the ground are less than hospitable today.
Such conditions might land FIFA in the hot seat...
Température mesurée sur les sièges du stade de Philadelphie ?
— Saber Desfarges (@SaberDesfa) July 4, 2026
Près de 70 degrés… 🥵🤯 #PARFRA pic.twitter.com/k2IOmFO1NZ
Positive signs?
21:01 , Arthur Ferridge
Supporters in Philadelphia give a nod to the United States on its 250th birthday.
France team news
20:53 , Arthur Ferridge
Didier Deschamps has resisted the temptation to rotate his side - he is taking no chances. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise all start, with Bradley Barcola completing the front four.
Aurelien Tchouameni, carrying a minor injury, makes way for Manu Kone in midfield.
Paraguay team news
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge
It is good news for Paraguay as Omar Alderete shakes off an injury to start.
He is joined in the XI by the usual mainstays of Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron.
Goalkeeper Gill made himself a star with an impressive performance against Germany in the shootout and keeps his place.
CONFIRMED FRANCE TEAM NEWS
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge
France XI: Maignan; Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Kone, Rabiot, Dembele, mbappe, Olise, Barcola
Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konate, L. Hernandez, T. Hernandez, Lacroix, Tchouameni, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doue, Mateta
CONFIRMED PARAGUAY TEAM NEWS
20:35 , Arthur Ferridge
Paraguay XI: Gill; Velazquez, Alderete, Cacaeres, Alonso, D. Gomez, G. Gomez, Almiron, Cubas, Galarza, Enciso
Subs: Fernandez, Olveira, Balbuena, Canale, Maidana, Sosa, Mauricio, Bobadilla, Ojeda, Caballero, Sanabria, Gamarra, Arce, Avalos, Pitta
Team news up next
20:30 , Arthur Ferridge
Today’s lineups will be released momentarily...
Weather worries
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge
It is extremely hot in Philadelphia today.
The city of brotherly love is under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures expected to hit 37C by kick-off.
There have been suggestions kick-off could be pushed back with an eye to keeping players and fans safe.
Watch this space...
Standard Sport prediction
20:14 , Arthur Ferridge
Cape Verde showed us yesterday that a minnow can always take the fight to a tournament favourite and nobody knows that better than Paraguay.
But they will need nothing short of a miracle to win here against a France side with few weaknesses, if any.
We expect Les Bleus to progress with minimal issue.
France to win 4-1.
BREAKING: Morocco beat Canada
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge
Morocco have eased past Canada with a 3-0 win to progress to the quarter-finals of this World Cup.
They will face the winner of France vs Paraguay in the next round.
Paraguay early team news
19:58 , Arthur Ferridge
Paraguay are expected to be without Sunderland’s Omar Alderete after he picked up a knee injury.
Miguel Almiron is available, however, having served his suspension after being sent off for covering his mouth during the group stage.
France early team news
19:48 , Arthur Ferridge
France come into this match with no overriding injury worries.
Given the toasty conditions in Philadelphia and lesser opposition, Didier Deschamps may take an opportunity to rest some players.
The likes of Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe could both be in line for some time out.
Aurelien Tchouameni is also expected to sit out with a minor groin injury.
How to watch Paraguay vs France
19:38 , Arthur Ferridge
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BBC Sports, with coverage starting at 9.30pm BST ahead of a 10pm kick-off.
Live stream: TV license holders can also catch the contest live online via BBC iPlayer.
Good afternoon
19:29 , Arthur Ferridge
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Paraguay vs France in the last-16 of the World Cup!
Les Bleus are a force to be reckoned with, but Paraguay were responsible for dumping Germany out of the tournament last week. Can they repeat the trick?
We will see! Stick with us right here for all the latest from Philadelphia, where kick-off is pencilled in for 10pm BST.
