# World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Update: France Edges Paraguay, Morocco Awaits in Quarter-Finals
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**The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 is delivering top-tier drama. France survived a stubborn Paraguay side thanks to a Kylian MbappĂ© penalty, while Morocco cruised past co-host Canada to set up a blockbuster quarter-final. Here’s everything you need to know.**
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## France 1–0 Paraguay: MbappĂ©’s Penalty Does the Trick
**Philadelphia, PA** — Kylian Mbappé kept his red-hot tournament form going with a second-half penalty that sent France into the quarter-finals at the expense of Paraguay, the giant-killers who stunned Germany in the previous round.
Paraguay, fresh off their penalty shootout heroics against the four-time world champions, set up defensively and made life difficult for Les Bleus. For 70 minutes, the match was deadlocked at 0–0 as Paraguay’s disciplined backline frustrated France’s star-studded attack.
The breakthrough finally came from the spot. Mbappé stepped up and calmly slotted home — his 7th goal of the tournament — to break Paraguayan hearts and put France into the last eight.
Despite the loss, Paraguay’s tournament run was nothing short of heroic. After knocking out Germany on penalties and pushing France to the limit, La Albirroja earned the respect of the football world.
## Morocco 3–0 Canada: Atlas Lions Keep Roaring
**Houston, TX** — Morocco made a massive statement in their Round of 16 clash, sweeping aside co-host Canada 3-0 with a dominant display that cements their status as genuine contenders.
Azzedine Ounahi and teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi were the architects of the victory, carving through the Canadian defense with clinical precision. Morocco’s unbeaten run now stretches to an incredible 34 matches — the longest active streak in international football.
Morocco will face France in the quarter-finals — a rematch of the 2022 semi-final that saw France advance. This time, the Atlas Lions will be desperate to go one better.
## Argentina Survives Cape Verde Scare
**Miami, FL** — Defending champions Argentina needed extra time to overcome the tournament’s Cinderella story, beating Cape Verde 3–2 in a thrilling encounter.
Lionel Messi scored his 7th goal of the tournament, keeping him level with Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. Cape Verde — the second-smallest nation in the tournament — pushed Argentina to the limit and left the World Cup with their heads held high after an unforgettable campaign.
## Other Round of 16 Results
| Match | Score | Venue |
|—|—|—|
| Morocco vs Canada | **3–0** | Houston |
| France vs Paraguay | **1–0** | Philadelphia |
| Argentina vs Cape Verde | **3–2 (AET)** | Miami |
| Colombia vs Ghana | **TBD** | — |
| Egypt vs Australia | **Egypt won on pens** | — |
## What’s Next: The Quarter-Final Bracket Taking Shape
| Quarter-Final Matchup | Date | Venue |
|—|—|—|
| **France vs Morocco** | TBD | TBD |
| Argentina vs TBD | TBD | TBD |
| England vs Mexico winner vs TBD | TBD | TBD |
All eyes now turn to **England vs Mexico** — a massive clash at the historic **Azteca Stadium** in Mexico City. England faces a hostile atmosphere and the challenge of dealing with Mexico’s electric home crowd. Kick-off is set for 1:00 AM BST (8:00 PM ET) on Monday, July 6.
## FAQ
### When is France vs Morocco in the quarter-finals?
Dates and venues for the quarter-finals are being confirmed as Round of 16 matches conclude. France and Morocco will meet after both advanced on Saturday.
### How many goals has Mbappé scored at the 2026 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappé has scored 7 goals so far, level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot race.
### Who are the tournament favorites now?
France and Argentina remain the top contenders, while Morocco has emerged as a serious dark horse. Spain, Brazil, and Portugal are still in the running as the Round of 16 continues.
### How can I watch matches in the US?
Matches are broadcast on Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish), with streaming available on Fox Sports app, Peacock, and FuboTV.
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### Related Posts
– [Germany Crashes Out: Paraguay Stuns Four-Time Champions](https://blog.pcmasterdeals.com/germany-crashes-out-paraguay-stuns-four-time-champions-as-mbappe-makes-history-at-2026-world-cup/)
– [World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Kicks Off: Morocco Dominates Canada](https://blog.pcmasterdeals.com/world-cup-2026-round-of-16-morocco-canada-france-paraguay/)