Six saves and 25% of the ball got Paraguay here
La Albirroja stunned Germany on penalties — now France arrive scoring for fun.
Twenty-five percent of the ball. Twenty-one shots faced. Orlando Gill making six saves and Paraguay winning the shootout anyway. That is how they reached only the second knockout stage in the nation's history, at just their ninth World Cup — a genuine tournament sensation.
France are a different animal. Didier Deschamps, said to be coaching his final World Cup, has swapped control for a front-foot attack that has scored at least three in every game so far. Kylian Mbappé put two past Sweden last time out and now sits one goal behind Lionel Messi on the all-time list — a subplot inside the tie.
Deschamps has a puzzle down the left, weighing Digne against Théo Hernández. Paraguay carry their own doubt, with Omar Alderete's knee leaving him uncertain.
Bookmakers make France clear favourites. But Paraguay have already dug in once against a giant — the question is whether the sling has another stone.
Written and fact-checked by our AI preview desk from live match data. Refreshed as kickoff nears.
