World Cup
Kounde's composure steadies France as World Cup bid narrows
Kylian Mbappe's penalty in the 70th minute gave France a 1‑0 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round‑of‑16 on Tuesday night, securing their place in the quarter‑finals. The decisive spot‑kick capped a tightly contested knockout match that highlighted defensive discipline.
Paraguay earned their round‑of‑16 slot by defeating Germany on penalties in the previous round, showcasing resilience despite the South American side's reputation. Their victory set up a clash with France, who had progressed without conceding.
Morocco opened the night’s action with a 3‑0 win over co‑hosts Canada, despite Jesse Marsch’s side dominating possession. The African champions proved clinical in the moments that mattered, ending the match with a flattering scoreline.
France scrape past Paraguay, exposing cracks before Morocco clash
Jules Kounde and former Barcelona defender Lucas Digne combined for nine tackles and ten duels won, anchoring France’s back line against Paraguay’s aggressive pressing. Kounde, who did not register a goal or assist, focused on maintaining composure and limiting transition opportunities. France completed 568 passes compared with Paraguay’s 183, and made 87 entries into the final third, underscoring their dominance in possession. The disparity forced Paraguay to remain compact and rely on disruption rather than sustained attacks. Kounde’s defensive skill set—one‑on‑one defending, high stepping, quick recovery—provided structure as France operated almost like midfielders in the latter stages. His ability to support the attack while keeping the defensive line secure was pivotal in a tight knockout encounter. The win propels France into the quarter‑finals, keeping Didier Deschamps’ side on track for a deep tournament run. A photo by Al Bello captures the moment, and Kounde’s performance reinforces his importance for both the national team and Barcelona ahead of the new season.