World Cup LIVE: Paraguay hold firm as France search for breakthrough

France have dominated possession and territory in the opening 45 minutes but remain frustrated by Paraguay's disciplined five-man defence. Les Bleus created pressure through a series of corners and attacks down the right flank, yet Paraguay stood firm and occasionally threatened on the counter to keep the Round of 16 contest goalless at the break.

France are firmly in control, winning their seventh corner of the match as they continue to pile pressure on the Paraguay defence. Much of Les Bleus' attacking play is coming down the right flank as they search relentlessly for the opening goal.

France break at pace as Ousmane Dembélé cuts in from the right and unleashes a powerful shot. A Paraguay defender gets a touch to divert it behind for a France corner.

Tempers flare after Kylian Mbappé is brought down just outside the box. Michael Olise's free-kick causes problems in the Paraguay area and is awkwardly cleared behind for a France corner. From the resulting set-piece, Jules Koundé gets a shot away, but Paraguay manage to keep the danger out.

32' France work the ball patiently outside of the Paraguay box before Adrien Rabiot lets fly from long range, but his powerful effort sails comfortably over the crossbar.

Olise and Dembélé combine well down the right before Dembélé's cross takes a deflection and flashes across the face of goal. Orlando Gill is beaten, but no France player is there to apply the finishing touch.

Paraguay enjoy a spell of pressure as Andrés Cubas and Diego Gómez both try their luck from distance. Neither effort troubles Mike Maignan, but it is an encouraging attacking spell for the South Americans.

France have dominated possession and patiently probed for an opening, but Paraguay's disciplined five-man defence has stood firm. The South Americans have largely sat back and looked to threaten on the counter, with clear-cut chances at a premium so far.

Paraguay 0-0 France 

Koné unleashes a powerful effort from outside the box, but it takes a deflection off a Paraguay defender and goes behind for a France corner.

Bradley Barcola goes into the referee's book after bringing down Caceres as Paraguay looked to launch a counterattack.

Barcola drives forward and switches play to Digne on the left, with the Villa full-back whipping in a cross that is comfortably collected by Orlando Gill. France are now opting for longer balls to try and break down Paraguay’s five-man defensive block.

Rare chance for Paraguay after a free-kick is won following a foul by Koné in midfield, but the delivery is comfortably headed away to safety.

Dembélé swings in a cross that isn’t properly cleared, before Adrien Rabiot goes down after a challenge from Juan Cáceres. No penalty is given, and rightly so.

Corner for France but it comes to nothing and goes out for a throw-in, with no real danger created.

France enjoy early possession as Paraguay sit deep and look to threaten on the counterattack. 

Match underway in the France vs Paraguay World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash.

The Opta supercomputer gives France a 78.8% chance of winning in regulation time, while Paraguay have just a 7.6% probability of victory. It also predicts a 13.7% chance of the match going to extra time.

The France vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 match will be broadcast live in India on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels. The match is also streamed live on the ZEE5 app and website.

Matches Played: 5
France wins: 3
Paraguay wins: 0
Draws: 2

France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni will miss the World Cup Round of 16 clash against Paraguay due to a thigh injury, according to L’Équipe. The Real Madrid midfielder, who started three of France’s four matches, is expected to be replaced by Manu Koné.

The Round of 16 clash between France and Paraguay is being played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Paraguay XI:
Orlando Gill, Gjunior Alonso, Gustavo Gómez (C), Omar Alderete, Gustavo Velázquez, Juan José Cáceres, Matías Galarza, Andrés Cubas, Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez, Julio Enciso

France XI:
Mike Maignan, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé (C)