France beat Paraguay 1-0 to set up quarter-final clash with Morocco

A classic knockout match — tight, tense and decided by a single goal. France edged past Paraguay 1-0 in their round-of-16 tie at the 2026 World Cup, booking a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown with Morocco.

One goal, maximum drama

Paraguay arrived with a clear game plan — defend deep, stay compact and make life difficult for the French stars. The Guaranis executed it well for long stretches of the match, limiting France's opportunities until Kylian Mbappé provided the decisive breakthrough from sustained French pressure.

France grind out another win

France continue their World Cup journey with the hallmark of tournament football's great teams: finding a way to win, even when it isn't pretty. The 1-0 victory over Paraguay shows the mental strength and maturity of Les Bleus to see out difficult matches in the knockout rounds.

Morocco lie in wait

In the quarter-finals, France will face Morocco, who dismantled Canada 3-0 in their last-16 tie. It is a blockbuster fixture that goes beyond football — a clash loaded with history, emotion and the promise of a truly unforgettable spectacle at the 2026 World Cup.