Sport
Paraguay showed France can be stifled - Morocco will have taken note
France secured a quarter-final berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia, but their performance was unconvincing.
Ce qu'il faut retenir
- France's performance was their least convincing of the 2026 World Cup
- Paraguay's defensive tactics and physical play disrupted France's rhythm
- Morocco, France's next opponent, will have taken note of France's struggles against defensive teams
- France's ability to win in different styles (e.g., 'moments' or controlled play) makes them formidable
- Désiré Doué's impact off the bench was crucial in breaking Paraguay's resistance
France secured a quarter-final berth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia, but their performance was unconvincing. The match was marked by Paraguay's defensive tactics, high temperatures (38°C), and France's struggle to create chances until a late penalty by Kylian Mbappé. France recorded their lowest expected goals (xG) and fewest shots on target of the tournament. Substitute Désiré Doué's impact off the bench was pivotal in breaking the deadlock. Didier Deschamps acknowledged the difficulty of the match but emphasized France's ability to adapt. Morocco, France's next opponent, is noted for their defensive capabilities, making this performance a point of concern.
France's struggle against defensive tactics raises questions for their quarter-final against Morocco
Leurs propres mots
“We knew what kind of match we were going to have. But we know how to get our hands dirty.”
“It was a tough game but, as I said to the players, we’ve had easy games so far. It is good to face a tough one.”
Les chiffres clés
- 55'
- First shot on target by France
- 1
- Shots on target by France before final attacking flourish
- 38°C
- Temperature in Philadelphia during the match
Le fil des événements
- France vs Paraguay Round of 16 match
Transformez ces actus en vues
Ravenclip repère les actus Sport, crée la vidéo et la publie avant que le buzz ne retombe.
Questions fréquentes
- Que s'est-il passé avec France ?
- France's performance was their least convincing of the 2026 World Cup
- Où puis-je lire le rapport d'origine ?
- Retrouvez le rapport complet sur Guardian Football.
