France booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 2-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday. According to Tod.tv, goals from Marcus Thuram and Jean-Philippe Mateta secured the round of 16 victory for Didier Deschamps's side.
The match saw France impose their game plan from the outset. Deschamps fielded a back four with Mike Maignan in goal, while the attack was led by Kylian Mbappé, supported by Thuram and Ousmane Dembélé. Paraguay, set up in a 5-4-1, tried to hold on but were quickly overwhelmed by French pressure.
How did France control the game?
The most telling stat was possession, dominated by France at 76%. This control translated into precise passing, with a completion rate nearing 90%. The midfield, orchestrated by Aurélien Tchouaméni and N'Golo Kanté, smothered any Paraguayan initiative. Les Bleus also created the bulk of the chances, hitting the target with five of their fifteen shots compared to just one for their opponents. This offensive dominance is further illustrated by the corner count: twelve for France against only two for Paraguay.
You can check the detailed player performances on our stats page.
Who scored the decisive goals?
Marcus Thuram opened the scoring in the first half, converting a cross from Théo Hernandez. The Inter Milan striker showed his clinical edge in front of goal. Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta doubled the lead shortly after coming on, sealing the match. These goals resulted from constant pressure, with the French committing eleven fouls to Paraguay's thirteen, a sign of an aggressive and organized press.
What was France's lineup?
Didier Deschamps trusted an experienced team. The central defensive partnership of Ibrahima Konaté and William Saliba provided notable solidity. Full-backs Théo Hernandez and Malo Gusto offered attacking threat throughout. In attack, Kylian Mbappé, though not on the scoresheet, constantly troubled the Paraguayan defense, drawing fouls. The French bench was rich with options, featuring players like Randal Kolo Muani, Kingsley Coman, and Eduardo Camavinga ready to make an impact.
To see the full list of eligible players, visit our squad page.
What's next for the French team?
With this qualification, France now awaits their opponent in the quarter-finals. The team displays a strong collective and a defense that has yet to concede in the knockout stage. The fixtures schedule shows the next match will take place next week. The objective is clear: to continue the adventure and aim for another final. Their journey so far, marked by this comprehensive domination of Paraguay, provides reasons for optimism about the remainder of the tournament.
