In the wake of their defeat at the 2022 World Cup Final, the French national team seemed unaffected by any lingering emotional setback as they continue their quest to defend their 2018 title. In that memorable 2022 final, France was bested by Argentina in a thrilling match. Despite Kylian Mbappé’s incredible hat-trick performance, Argentina clinched victory in penalties.
The recent 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 showcases France’s readiness to claim three consecutive finals, a feat last achieved by Brazil between 1994 and 2002. The match against Paraguay underscored the French squad’s talent and depth. Although Paraguay initially held their defense tightly, the introduction of substitute Désiré Doué in the 61st minute changed the game’s dynamics. Doué’s aggressive play resulted in a penalty, allowing Mbappé to score and increase his World Cup tally to 19, trailing only Lionel Messi’s 20.
France’s dominance was evident right from the group stage. Their 2026 World Cup journey began with a 3-1 win over Senegal and continued with a 3-0 victory over Iraq. Norway chose to rest key players for their final Group I match, yet France pursued an assertive 4-1 victory, closing the group stage with a leading goal differential of plus-eight. The knockout phase began with a decisive 3-0 win over Sweden.
Against Paraguay, France achieved a goal differential of plus-12, demonstrating their superiority. Paraguay adopted a defensive strategy, stacking their goal area to frustrate French stars, with aggressive tactics spilling over into confrontations during the match. However, France’s skill and determination prevailed, breaking Paraguay’s defense in the second half. The physicality and intimidation attempts by Paraguay ultimately fell short.
At the conclusion of the match, Mbappé celebrated with the crowd, relishing his performance continuation from 2022. Currently tied with Messi at seven goals, Mbappé stands firmly in the golden boot competition, aided by Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, whose contributions add to France’s formidable attacking prowess.
Looking ahead, France faces Morocco, echoing their semifinal encounter from 2022, where France won 2-0. Though Morocco might seek revenge, matching France’s ambition could prove challenging.