The Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off with two high-stakes matches that delivered intense action. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay in a tight and chaotic contest, while Morocco dominated co-host Canada with a 3-0 win to advance to the quarterfinals.
Morocco Dominates Canada
Morocco produced a commanding second-half performance to eliminate Canada from the tournament. Azzedine Ounahi scored two goals, and Soufiane Rahimi sealed the win in stoppage time. With this victory, Morocco made history as the first African team to reach the quarterfinals in consecutive World Cups.
France Edges Paraguay
France overcame Paraguay in a closely fought match. Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty in the 70th minute, which proved to be the winning goal. The goal also moved Mbappé to the top of the Golden Boot race. France will now face Morocco in Boston on July 9, 2026, for a place in the semifinals.
