France and Morocco Advance to Quarterfinals in Thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches

France Edges Past Paraguay in Tense Encounter

In a dramatic showdown during the FIFA World Cup 2026, France triumphed over Paraguay with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a penalty by Kylian Mbappe. The match, held early Sunday, was marked by intense physical play and rising tempers on both sides, as Morocco also made headlines by defeating Canada 3-0, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Mbappe converted a penalty after being fouled by Diego Gomez, propelling France into the next round where they will face Morocco. Despite dominating possession, France struggled to break through Paraguay's disciplined defense, which had previously stunned Germany.

The first half was particularly uneventful, with no shots on target, making it one of the rare World Cup knockout matches to end scoreless at halftime. Tensions escalated when Mbappe reacted to a challenge, leading to a confrontation between players.

After halftime, France increased their urgency, with midfielder Manu Kone forcing a save from Paraguay's goalkeeper. The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute, showcasing Mbappe's composure under pressure.

As Paraguay sought an equalizer, France managed to maintain their lead, with Mbappe nearly scoring again in stoppage time, only to be thwarted by a remarkable double save from Gill.

Post-match, Mbappe expressed his frustration with Paraguay's physical style of play, emphasizing that France is capable of adapting to different styles, including playing 'dirty' football when necessary. Coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged Paraguay's tactics but praised his team's resilience in a challenging match.

Morocco Makes History with Victory Over Canada

In another thrilling Round of 16 match, Morocco secured a historic 3-0 win against Canada, becoming the first African nation to reach the quarterfinals in two World Cups. The match was marked by a record eight yellow cards, highlighting its intensity.

Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi shone with a second-half brace, making him the first Moroccan to score twice in a World Cup match since 1998. Achraf Hakimi also made headlines by assisting the opening goal, marking his third World Cup assist.

The Atlas Lions' victory was built on a strong second-half performance after weathering Canadian pressure in the first half. Key saves from goalkeeper Yassine Bounou kept Morocco in the game, while Ounahi's goals, along with a late strike from Soufiane Rahimi, sealed the win.

This victory extends Morocco's unbeaten streak to ten matches and highlights their impressive record in knockout stages of major tournaments. For Canada, the loss ended a memorable World Cup campaign, as they struggled to secure a win after conceding the first goal.