Paraguay eyes giant-killing feat against France in World Cup knockout stage

Paraguay's "giant-slayer" mission continues as they prepare to face football powerhouse France in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16. Having already eliminated Germany, the Albirroja now confronts the daunting challenge of overcoming Kylian Mbappé's formidable French squad.

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I have it clear that whether it's France or Sweden, it will be incredibly difficult.

Coach Gustavo Alfaro, the architect of Paraguay's surprising run, remains confident in his team's ability to turn improbable outcomes into reality. His strategy hinges on a well-drilled defense, swift counterattacks, and unwavering resilience – a formula that has served them well so far. This approach will be crucial against a French team that has dominated the tournament with a powerful offensive display, including decisive victories over Senegal, Iraq, Norway, and Sweden.

France, managed by Didier Deschamps, has showcased a fearsome attacking unit, scoring 13 goals and conceding only two throughout the competition. The attacking trio of Mbappé, Michael Olise, and Ousmane Dembélé has been particularly impressive, solidifying France's status as a team of the era and a strong favorite to win their third World Cup title. Mbappé himself is a leading contender for the Golden Boot with six goals, while another French star tops the assists chart.

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Teams will play better, attack better, defend better. There are small adjustments to make... Find us problems, we don't want everything to be pretty and rosy.

Deschamps, in his final World Cup as coach, seeks challenges to further refine his team, acknowledging that opponents will improve their attacking and defensive play. He recalled the difficulty Paraguay posed in the 1998 World Cup when he played, a match decided by a "Golden Goal" in extra time. Now, the new generation of Paraguayan players, including Julio Enciso and Miguel Almirón, aims for revenge. Mbappé, meanwhile, is focused on his personal goal of becoming the all-time leading World Cup scorer, currently trailing Lionel Messi.

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The team is perfectible and he is focused on his personal hunt: becoming the all-time top scorer in the World Cups.