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Mbappé Leads France into 2026 Paraguay Showdown

7/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

France will face Paraguay on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.
France entered the match after scoring 13 goals in four games, Kylian Mbappé leading with six.
Paraguay advanced by beating Germany in a penalty shootout despite 25 % possession and 21 shots allowed.
FanDuel lists France at –600, Paraguay at +1700, and the over/under total at 2.5 goals –150.
Analysts predict a French win with the game exceeding 2.5 goals.

History

Historical Context

On 12 July 1998 France, hosting the World Cup, defeated Brazil 3-0 before 80,000 at the Stade de France, a win that sparked celebrations by an estimated 1.3 billion TV viewers and marked France’s first title. That triumph included a round-of-16 victory over Paraguay, a legacy echoed today as France meets Paraguay again in the quarter-final.

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Story summary

France will face Paraguay on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia.
France entered the match after scoring 13 goals in four games, Kylian Mbappé leading with six.
Paraguay advanced by beating Germany in a penalty shootout despite 25 % possession and 21 shots allowed.
FanDuel lists France at –600, Paraguay at +1700, and the over/under total at 2.5 goals –150.
Analysts predict a French win with the game exceeding 2.5 goals.

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