<\/h2>\nParaguay Faces Its History<\/h2>\n![\"France](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-par-4.jpg\")
PHOTO: Paraguay National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn Philadelphia, the Albirroja faces its demons once again.<\/p>\n
While they were able to avenge their painful elimination in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup against Germany, their match against France brings them back to a scenario similar to that of 1998.<\/p>\n
France and Paraguay faced off in the round of 16 of a World Cup in which Les Bleus were the hosts and would go on to win their first title.<\/p>\n
The match went into extra time after 90 scoreless minutes, and just as the Paraguayans were bracing for a penalty shootout, Laurent Blanc sent them home in the 114th minute with a golden goal.<\/p>\n
An outcome just as cruel\u2014if not more so\u2014than Oliver Neuville\u2019s in \u201988, four years later.<\/p>\n
This isn’t the only previous match between Paraguay and France, who have faced each other five times, with three French victories and two ties.<\/p>\n
Including another World Cup matchup: a surprising 7-3 victory in the group stage of 1958, with a hat trick by the legendary Just Fontaine.<\/p>\n
A goal-scoring machine<\/h2>\n![\"Mbapp\u00e9\"](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-par-3.jpg\")
PHOTO: French National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFrance is without Fontaine but does have Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, the all-time leading scorer for the French national team.<\/p>\n
And just one goal away from Lionel Messi in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.<\/p>\n
France’s No. 10 has scored six goals\u2014including three two-goal games\u2014of the 13 scored by Didier Deschamps’ team.<\/p>\n
It still hasn’t dropped below three goals per game and averages 3.33.<\/p>\n
With a superb Michael Olise in the attacking midfield and Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, Bradley Barcola, and\/or D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 on the wings, Les Bleus are putting on a dazzling offensive display.<\/p>\n
Which promises to cause Paraguay far more problems than a stagnant, uninspired Germany.<\/p>\n
Alfaro’s Plan<\/h2>\n![\"France](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-par-5.jpg\")
PHOTO: Paraguay National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBy eliminating Germany, Gustavo Alfaro has silenced all the critics who had spoken out against him during the group stage.<\/p>\n
This was because they went out to secure a draw against Australia\u2014at the risk of being eliminated\u2014after losing 4-1 to the United States in their debut.<\/p>\n
La Albirroja has a very clear game plan: a rock-solid defense led by Gustavo G\u00f3mez, counterattacks, and pressing after losing possession.<\/p>\n
Alfaro brings back G\u00f3mez\u2014who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards against Germany\u2014to his midfield.<\/p>\n
In Philadelphia, the Albirroja faces its demons once again.<\/p>\n
While they were able to avenge their painful elimination in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup against Germany, their match against France brings them back to a scenario similar to that of 1998.<\/p>\n
France and Paraguay faced off in the round of 16 of a World Cup in which Les Bleus were the hosts and would go on to win their first title.<\/p>\n
The match went into extra time after 90 scoreless minutes, and just as the Paraguayans were bracing for a penalty shootout, Laurent Blanc sent them home in the 114th minute with a golden goal.<\/p>\n
An outcome just as cruel\u2014if not more so\u2014than Oliver Neuville\u2019s in \u201988, four years later.<\/p>\n
This isn’t the only previous match between Paraguay and France, who have faced each other five times, with three French victories and two ties.<\/p>\n
Including another World Cup matchup: a surprising 7-3 victory in the group stage of 1958, with a hat trick by the legendary Just Fontaine.<\/p>\n
A goal-scoring machine<\/h2>\nPHOTO: French National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFrance is without Fontaine but does have Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, the all-time leading scorer for the French national team.<\/p>\n
And just one goal away from Lionel Messi in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.<\/p>\n
France’s No. 10 has scored six goals\u2014including three two-goal games\u2014of the 13 scored by Didier Deschamps’ team.<\/p>\n
It still hasn’t dropped below three goals per game and averages 3.33.<\/p>\n
With a superb Michael Olise in the attacking midfield and Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, Bradley Barcola, and\/or D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 on the wings, Les Bleus are putting on a dazzling offensive display.<\/p>\n
Which promises to cause Paraguay far more problems than a stagnant, uninspired Germany.<\/p>\n
Alfaro’s Plan<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Paraguay National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBy eliminating Germany, Gustavo Alfaro has silenced all the critics who had spoken out against him during the group stage.<\/p>\n
This was because they went out to secure a draw against Australia\u2014at the risk of being eliminated\u2014after losing 4-1 to the United States in their debut.<\/p>\n
La Albirroja has a very clear game plan: a rock-solid defense led by Gustavo G\u00f3mez, counterattacks, and pressing after losing possession.<\/p>\n
Alfaro brings back G\u00f3mez\u2014who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards against Germany\u2014to his midfield.<\/p>\n
France is without Fontaine but does have Kylian Mbapp\u00e9, the all-time leading scorer for the French national team.<\/p>\n
And just one goal away from Lionel Messi in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.<\/p>\n
France’s No. 10 has scored six goals\u2014including three two-goal games\u2014of the 13 scored by Didier Deschamps’ team.<\/p>\n
It still hasn’t dropped below three goals per game and averages 3.33.<\/p>\n
With a superb Michael Olise in the attacking midfield and Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9, Bradley Barcola, and\/or D\u00e9sir\u00e9 Dou\u00e9 on the wings, Les Bleus are putting on a dazzling offensive display.<\/p>\n
Which promises to cause Paraguay far more problems than a stagnant, uninspired Germany.<\/p>\n
Alfaro’s Plan<\/h2>\nPHOTO: Paraguay National Team’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBy eliminating Germany, Gustavo Alfaro has silenced all the critics who had spoken out against him during the group stage.<\/p>\n
This was because they went out to secure a draw against Australia\u2014at the risk of being eliminated\u2014after losing 4-1 to the United States in their debut.<\/p>\n
La Albirroja has a very clear game plan: a rock-solid defense led by Gustavo G\u00f3mez, counterattacks, and pressing after losing possession.<\/p>\n
Alfaro brings back G\u00f3mez\u2014who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards against Germany\u2014to his midfield.<\/p>\n
By eliminating Germany, Gustavo Alfaro has silenced all the critics who had spoken out against him during the group stage.<\/p>\n
This was because they went out to secure a draw against Australia\u2014at the risk of being eliminated\u2014after losing 4-1 to the United States in their debut.<\/p>\n
La Albirroja has a very clear game plan: a rock-solid defense led by Gustavo G\u00f3mez, counterattacks, and pressing after losing possession.<\/p>\n
Alfaro brings back G\u00f3mez\u2014who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards against Germany\u2014to his midfield.<\/p>\n
![\"soccer,](\"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/fra-par-2.jpg\")