France proceed their pursuit of a 3rd World Cup title once they face Paraguay within the last-16 at Lincoln Monetary Discipline in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Les Bleus have been one of many standout groups of World Cup 2026 thus far, profitable all 4 of their matches and scoring a tournament-leading 12 targets, whereas Paraguay arrive stuffed with confidence after producing one of many competitors’s largest shocks by eliminating Germany on penalties.
Julio Enciso’s objective helped drive further time in opposition to the Germans earlier than Jose Canale transformed the decisive penalty.
Paraguay have now misplaced solely 5 of their final 23 internationals; nonetheless, France current a wholly completely different problem.
Didier Deschamps’ males have swept apart each opponent they’ve confronted in North America, topping Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway earlier than comfortably defeating Sweden 3-0 within the Spherical of 32.
Kylian Mbappe has as soon as once more been the point of interest of France’s assault, whereas Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola have added additional firepower to probably the most harmful ahead traces in worldwide soccer.
Historical past additionally favours Les Bleus. Paraguay have by no means overwhelmed France in 5 earlier conferences, whereas the French famously eradicated La Albirroja within the 1998 World Cup last-16 because of Laurent Blanc’s golden objective.
Workforce information for Paraguay vs France
Paraguay are anticipated to stay with out skilled defender Omar Alderete, who continues to get well from a knee damage.
Jose Canale ought to due to this fact proceed alongside captain Gustavo Gomez in central defence after his heroics in opposition to Germany.
Diego Gomez is accessible once more after suspension and will return to midfield alongside Andres Cubas, whereas Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron are anticipated to supply attacking assist for Gabriel Avalos.
France don’t have any recent damage considerations heading into the competition.
Marcus Thuram stays a doubt because of a calf difficulty, however Didier Deschamps is unlikely to make main adjustments after the convincing win over Sweden.
Kylian Mbappe will spearhead the assault as soon as once more, supported by Dembele, Olise and Barcola, whereas Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are anticipated to proceed in midfield.
William Saliba is about to companion Dayot Upamecano on the coronary heart of defence in entrance of goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Anticipated line-ups for Paraguay vs France
Paraguay beginning XI: Gill; Caceres, Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Galarza, Cubas, Diego Gomez; Almiron, Avalos, Enciso
France beginning XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
The place to look at Paraguay vs France: TV channel, on-line dwell stream
The match takes place on Saturday, July 4 at Lincoln Monetary Discipline in Philadelphia, with kick-off scheduled at 22:00 BST.
Within the UK, the match shall be broadcast on BBC One and different channels, together with on-line by means of BBC IPlayer.
Paraguay vs France stats
- Les Bleus are the event’s highest scorers with 12 targets.
- France have scored no less than three targets in every of their final 4 World Cup matches
- Kylian Mbappe has scored six targets in 4 appearances on the event
- Michael Olise has registered 5 assists and is one away from matching Pele’s World Cup document of six in a single event
- France have gained 15 of their final 18 World Cup matches courting again to the beginning of the 2018 event
- Didier Deschamps has recorded 18 World Cup victories as a supervisor, probably the most in event historical past
- La Albirroja have misplaced simply one among their 4 matches at World Cup 2026
- Paraguay have by no means overwhelmed France in 5 earlier conferences (two attracts, three defeats)
- Paraguay have misplaced solely 5 of their final 23 worldwide matches throughout all competitions
Prediction for Paraguay vs France
Paraguay deserve huge credit score for his or her run to the last-16 and have proven all through the event that they’re able to irritating elite opponents.
Nonetheless, France possess considerably higher attacking high quality and arrive in excellent type after 4 consecutive victories.
Alfaro’s facet ought to stay aggressive for lengthy intervals, however Mbappe and firm are anticipated to seek out the breakthrough and information Les Bleus into the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Paraguay 0-2 France
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