- 1 Paraguay vs France : Les Bleus up against the giant-killers who knocked out Germany
- 2 Paraguay have already taken down a giant
- 3 France keep moving, no detours required
- 4 Likely line-ups :
- 5 World Cup 2026 prediction : Paraguay vs France
- 6 First, a word on our predictions
- 7 No commitment from us
- 8 Information can change
- 9 Your job
- 10 Responsible gambling first
- 11 Legal age
- 12 About the visuals
Paraguay vs France : Les Bleus up against the giant-killers who knocked out Germany 
Paraguay have just dumped Germany out. So, yes, France know exactly what is waiting for them on Saturday in Philadelphia. Les Bleus are clear favourites for this last-16 tie, but Albirroja have already shown they can spend two hours defending, suffering and still somehow stay alive.
Didier Deschamps’ side arrive flying. Four games, four wins, and an attack that is doing damage wherever it goes. After a group stage handled with no fuss, Sweden were swept aside in the round of 32 as well. Paraguay, though, are a different sort of problem. Less football, probably, but a team that will not blink and has just survived 120 minutes against Germany.
Paraguay have already taken down a giant 
The tournament started brutally for them. Beaten 4-1 by the United States, Paraguay looked a long way from a place in the last 32. Since then, Gustavo Alfaro’s side have gone back to what they do best: shut the door, take the pain and wait for their moment.
Germany found that out the hard way. Julio Enciso scored in normal time, then Albirroja dug in all the way to penalties. Jose Canale eventually sent an entire nation through to the last 32. It was a reward for the work done since Gustavo Alfaro came in, with a side that has become especially hard to beat.
Against France, the plan should be no mystery. Paraguay will probably hand over the ball and try to clog the middle of the pitch as much as possible. Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso will be asked to drive the rare attacking breaks, while Gabriel Avalos should lead the line again. Omar Alderete remains a doubt, which could mean Jose Canale keeps his place alongside Gustavo Gomez.
France keep moving, no detours required 
At the moment, Les Bleus are not hanging around. Senegal, Iraq and Norway had already felt the force of France’s attack in the group stage. Sweden got the same treatment in the previous round, going down 3-0 with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice.
The France captain now has six goals at this World Cup and is closing in on the greats of the competition’s history. Around him, there are plenty of options. Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola stretch defences, while Michael Olise has settled into a creator’s role that has been hugely effective. With five assists since the start of the tournament, he is now just one short of Pele’s record for a single edition.
Didier Deschamps is unlikely to rip up a team that is ticking over nicely. Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni remain the favourites to start in midfield, even if Manu Kone offers a different option. Up front, the attacking four should stay in place.
Likely line-ups :
Paraguay : Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Galarza, Cubas, D. Gomez; Almiron, Avalos, Enciso
France : Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
on MathODDS
World Cup 2026 prediction : Paraguay vs France
Paraguay under 0.5 goals
Paraguay have just knocked out Germany, but the performance behind it should not be ignored. Albirroja built the upset on resistance and on staying in the game even when they spent long spells without the ball. Against France, chances could be even harder to come by.
Les Bleus have more than enough to shut down Paraguay’s transitions. Aurelien Tchouameni gives the back line proper protection, and the pace of the centre-backs means France can defend high up the pitch when they settle in the opposition half. Paraguay will likely need a breakaway, a set piece or a mistake to create a real opening.
Fatigue is also a factor. Gustavo Alfaro’s players have just come through 120 gruelling minutes against Germany, while France were able to cruise through the closing stages of their win over Sweden. In a game where Les Bleus should see plenty of the ball, chasing it in the Philadelphia heat could start to bite as the minutes tick by.
Paraguay have already pulled off one shock at this World Cup. Doing it again against a France side this complete looks a lot harder, especially in attack. Backing Albirroja to score under 0.5 goals is our pick for this last-16 tie.
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