Philadelphia stages one of the round's biggest mismatches on paper — pre-tournament number three France against 41st-ranked Paraguay. Les Bleus rolled through their group with ten goals and dispatched Sweden 3-0, Kylian Mbappe scoring twice and Ousmane Dembele firing, showcasing a switch-on-demand quality that few sides possess. On a mission to avenge the 2022 final defeat, France look primed.

Paraguay, though, have already authored one of the tournament's great stunners, knocking out title-favourite Germany on penalties after a 1-1 — a disciplined, resolute defend-and-counter block that refuses to break. That is their entire plan here: stay compact, frustrate France, and strike on the rare transition. It can keep the score level for long stretches, which is why the panel splits on the 90-minute outcome. But France's attacking depth is simply a different level, and over the course of the night the openings come. Expect a patient French performance, a breakthrough, and a second to settle it — 2-0, with every analyst agreed France advance.