Live coverage and text commentary stream updates as Mbappe's France face Paraguay in the round of 16 knockout game .
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France were one of only three teams – alongside cohosts Mexico and reigning champions Argentina – to maintain a 100 percent record in the group stage. Les Bleus won all of their group matches at a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup, when they won the trophy on home soil.
France topped Group I, beating Senegal 3-1 in the first game and Iraq 3-0 in the second. The French wrapped up their group campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Norway.
Neither side has any suspensions or reported injury concerns.
France’s predicted starting XI:
(4-2-3-1): Maignan (goalkeeper); Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Paraguay’s predicted starting XI:
(4-3-3): Gill; Caceres, G Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Galarza, Cubas, D Gomez; Almiron, Avalos, Enciso
Morocco have beaten Canada 3-0 in the first game of the day and The Atlas Lions will face the winner of the match between France and Paraguay.
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The World Cup, in case we needed reminding, doesn’t truly get going until the knockout rounds.
No making up for an off day. No second chances. Crank up the intensity. Stale Solbakken apparently got it right – save your starters for the second round.
Seven UEFA teams advanced from the Round of 32, among them Solbakken’s Norway, sufficiently rested after basically conceding Group I to France. Tri-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States made it three CONCACAF representatives in the Round of 16 for the second time, and the first since 2014 (when it was Costa Rica, Mexico, and the US).
Four South American countries got through: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay.
Paraguay’s methods were un-Solbakken – all-out effort to squeeze through the group stage, followed by a quick turnaround and cross-country fight to meet Germany in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
But La Albirroja had enough left in the tank to become the first team to ever beat Die Mannschaft on penalties at the World Cup.
Read more here.
Click here to join our live coverage of the closing stages of the first game of the day.
Remember, the winner of Morocco’s game with Canada will face the winner of the match between France and Paraguay.
The Guaranies have surprised, but if Les Bleus know their history, that will not be the case in this game.
In 1958, France trailed against Paraguay in the second half, before rallying for a 7-3 win. In 1998, it took an extra-time goal from Laurent Blanc for them to advance against La Albirroja.
Now, though, France are simply sprinting past everyone. Sure, Paraguay stifled Germany’s attack. But Gustavo Gomez and company will find it difficult keeping up with Kylian Mbappe.
The French will dent the defence through the middle, via the playmaking of Michael Olise and Adrien Rabiot. Wingers will provide width. Olise, Rabiot and, possibly, Theo Hernandez will fire from distance.
Read more: Which are the best matches to watch in the last 16?
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The first game of the day is already under way at the World Cup as Canada face Morocco.
The winner will face France or Paraguay in the quarterfinal.
Click here to join our live coverage of that one.
Hello, welcome and thanks for joining our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 clash between France and Paraguay.
Two-time world champions France continue their pursuit of another global crown as they face a resilient Paraguay side looking to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
France have impressed so far in the tournament, but Paraguay have already shown they are capable of upsetting the odds after knocking out Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout.
I’m Kevin Hand, and I’ll bring you all the pre-match build-up, analysis, team news and photo coverage before kickoff.
Rohan Sharma will then take you through our comprehensive minute-by-minute live text commentary.
Live coverage and text updates as cohosts Canada are swept aside by Morocco, who go through to last eight.
As the tournament enters the second knockout phase, there are several blockbuster matchups led by Spain-Portugal.
The pitch at the Azteca is 2,240 metres above sea level. At that altitude, air is thinner and makes breathing difficult.
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