Paraguay vs France: Les Bleus aim to extend perfect tournament run
France face Paraguay in the quarter-finals, looking to maintain their flawless record and advance to the semi-finals, where Morocco awaits.
France continue their knockout campaign against Paraguay, looking to maintain their perfect tournament record and progress one step closer to winning another World Cup. Les Bleus' dominant group stage campaign has established them as genuine contenders, while Paraguay seek to upset the odds as they did with Germany.
Official lineups:
- Paraguay: Gill - Cáceres, Gómez (c), Velázquez, Alderete, Alonso - Cubas - Almirón, Gómez, Galarza - Enciso
- France: Maignan - Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne - Koné, Rabiot - Dembélé, Olise, Barcola - Mbappé (c)
France topped their group with an impressive unbeaten campaign, securing three consecutive victories before dismantling Sweden 3-0 in their opening knockout match. Didier Deschamps' side have showcased attacking prowess and tactical discipline throughout the tournament, establishing themselves as one of the competition's elite sides. Their passage to the quarter-finals saw them eliminate the Scandinavians with clinical efficiency, Kylian Mbappé scoring twice to extend his remarkable World Cup tally.
Paraguay, meanwhile, earned their Round of 16 berth after finishing as one of the best-performing third-place finishers and eliminating an unrecognisable Germany. The winner will face Morocco in a quarter-final encounter next Thursday.
