France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 on Saturday, July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, ending La Albirroja's run one win short of the quarterfinals.
France controlled the match from the start and never let Paraguay counterattack.
How did Paraguay get to the round of 16?
Paraguay reached the knockout round for the first time since 1998, then pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets to get this far. Gustavo Alfaro's side stunned four-time champion Germany in the round of 32, winning on penalties after goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two spot kicks. Julio Enciso scored Paraguay's first goal in a World Cup knockout match, and the shootout win set off a national celebration back home.
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States scores his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to save a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States as he scores his team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his team's fourth goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)US players celebrate the fourth goal by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)1 / 5
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States scores his team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to save a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States as he scores his team's fourth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his team's fourth goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)
Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US players celebrate the fourth goal by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (VALERIE MACON, AFP via Getty Images)
Who does France play next?
France advances to the quarterfinals where it faces Morocco next. They will face off on Thursday, July 9 at Foxborough Stadium at 4 p.m. ET.