France and Morocco have set up a fans’ frenzy clash in the round of 16 after both teams secured wins in the knockout stage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup. France defeated Paraguay 1-0 courtesy of a brilliant goal from Captain Kylian Mbappรฉ, while Morocco downed co-host Canada 3-0 in their encounter.
Ranked 41st in the world, Paraguay had ousted Germany on penalties in the last round and was aiming to claim another huge scalp here.
Facing one of the best attacking teams in the world right now was a very different experience, with Dembele, Olise, and Mbappe leading the charge. Despite strong defence and resistance, the Paraguay side didnโt hold the runners-up title in the last edition and succumbed under pressure.
France needed a second-half Kylian Mbappรฉ penalty to break down a stubborn Paraguay side, winning a niggling World Cup last-32 clash 1-0 to set up a pre-quarter-final showdown with Morocco.
Paraguayโs efforts to get under the skin of Franceโs superstars worked for three-quarters of a game played in front of 68,324 fans in Philadelphia in heatwave conditions on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Morocco and Canada started their match with a brilliant display of aggression and creative passing, while Canada played out of their skin against the top-ranked Moroccan side, but it wasnโt enough to break the African sideโs defence.
Morocco first scored in the 50th minute, followed by another strike in the 82nd minute. Later, substitute Soufiane Rahimi added the third goal in the final minute of stoppage time.
Canadaโs loss ends a historic run for the World Cup co-hosts, who won their first-ever knockout round match 1-0 against South Africa.
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