
France Edges Paraguay 1-0 to Secure World Cup Quarter-Final Spot
A late penalty by Kylian Mbappé sealed a 1‑0 win for France over Paraguay, showcasing the team’s willingness to adapt and even play ‘dirty football’ when required.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Didier Deschamps across Soccer, Football.

A late penalty by Kylian Mbappé sealed a 1‑0 win for France over Paraguay, showcasing the team’s willingness to adapt and even play ‘dirty football’ when required.

A tightly contested World Cup match saw France triumph over Paraguay amid heated disputes over refereeing and unsportsmanlike conduct, with Kylian Mbappé delivering the decisive spot‑kick.

In a tightly contested World Cup match, Paraguay's physical approach clashed with France's finesse, culminating in a penalty goal by Mbappé and a heated post‑game exchange.

Kylian Mbappé scored his seventh World Cup goal, tying Lionel Messi, after a VAR‑awarded penalty in a tightly contested match against Paraguay. France will next face Morocco in the quarter‑finals.

Ahead of the knockout match in Qatar, France’s prolific attack faces a resilient Paraguay side that has made several lineup changes. The encounter promises tactical intrigue and a closely watched battle between seasoned coaches and emerging talents.

The Athletic’s daily World Cup predictions feature a unique blend of professional analysis, fan participation, and whimsical contenders, offering readers a chance to track expert forecasts across the tournament’s early rounds.

With France boasting a prolific attack and Paraguay bolstered by Diego Gómez’s return, the upcoming clash promises drama and tactical intrigue.

From the streets of Paris to the pitches of Qatar, French‑born players are reshaping the tournament, blending diverse backgrounds with rigorous training.

France's four‑match, 13‑goal burst features a quartet of stars whose combined talent rivals the greats of 2002 Brazil and 1954 Hungary, with Michael Olise poised to match Pelé's assist record.

France's World Cup squad has exploded onto the tournament stage with 13 goals in four matches, driven by a dazzling attacking trio and a tactical mastermind.

France's World Cup campaign has been defined by an unprecedented attacking surge, with the team netting 13 goals in just four matches.

France's World Cup campaign has been defined by an unprecedented attacking constellation that blends raw speed, technical brilliance and a collective hunger for victory.

France’s knockout run at the FIFA World Cup has been marked by disciplined play, record‑breaking performances and a squad brimming with emerging talent, setting up tantalizing match‑ups in the coming rounds.

A vivid recount of Paraguay's surprising win against Germany, the fallout from Scotland's exit, and the anticipation surrounding France's upcoming clash with Sweden.

A recent Charlie Hebdo drawing depicting coach Didier Deschamps with an urn labeled 'mom' has drawn fire from the French Football Federation, echoing earlier backlash over a ski‑resort fire cartoon.

The introduction of three‑minute hydration breaks has split matches into 22‑minute quarters, giving coaches a tactical window that is reshaping gameplay, substitutions and statistical trends.

Players and coaches at the 2026 World Cup venues report uneven grass, heat‑induced dryness and artificial‑like surfaces, prompting extensive agronomic testing and engineering solutions across diverse climates.

The Athletic’s daily World Cup predictions combine seasoned analysis, youthful flair, and even a canine voice to preview key matchups and emerging storylines.

A thunderstorm delay tested both teams, but France emerged victorious with a 3‑0 result, featuring Mbappe's record‑tying goals and a glimpse of Messi's all‑time scoring milestone.

A thunderstorm that halted play for nearly two hours gave way to a dramatic finish as France edged Iraq 3‑0, with Mbappe moving to within one goal of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

Three positional swaps aim to sharpen France's attack as they seek a decisive victory against Iraq.

Three tactical swaps bring fresh faces into France's attack for the decisive World Cup encounter, while Mbappé aims to close the gap on Lionel Messi's all‑time scoring mark.

France coach Didier Deschamps reshapes his lineup for the crucial World Cup clash against Iraq, introducing fresh faces while Kylian Mbappe aims to match Lionel Messi's goal milestone.

In a moment that transcended generations, Lionel Messi’s latest strike rewrote the record books, positioning him ahead of Brazil’s Marta as the top scorer in World Cup history. The achievement, celebrated worldwide, underscores the Argentine forward’s enduring impact as his team eyes the ultimate prize.