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Agence France-Presse

We’re into the business end of the World Cup, where it’s win or go home and everyone is fighting for a place in the quarter-finals.
Morocco overcame a frustrating first half to comfortably ease past Canada, no matter what Jesse Marsch had to say on the subject.
France, meanwhile, had been scoring for fun, right up until they ran into Paraguay. It’s hard to keep Kylian Mbappe down though, and the pre-tournament favourites eventually made it into the last eight.
The awfully named round of 16 is under way, so here’s a look at what happened overnight.
Mbappe on target
Kylian Mbappe scored from the spot to give France a tight 1-0 win against Paraguay on Saturday, which was enough to lead his nation to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The Real Madrid star scored his seventh goal of the tournament in the 70th minute after Desire Doue was brought down inside the box by Diego Gomez.
The penalty wasn’t initially given to France, but after video review, the referee changed his decision.
France will now face Morocco, who earlier defeated co-hosts Canada 3-0.
Paraguay say farewell to the competition after stunning Germany in the round of 32 in a 4-3 win on penalties and putting up a real challenge against France.
Mbappe is tied with Messi for most goals at this tournament. Messi is the all-time World Cup top scorer with 20 goals, while the French striker is right behind with 19.

A surprise package?
I’m not entirely sure who Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was talking about when he said his side could no longer be considered a surprise, but apparently someone must have.
It’s not exactly a tough sell considering that including the highly controversial African Cup of Nations title they are now unbeaten in 34 games.
The more dubious claims came from his Canadian counterpart Marsch, who believed his side had been the “better team” despite ending up on the wrong end of a 3-0 result.
After Canada dominated the first half, Azzedine Ounahi scored twice in the 50th and 82nd minutes to kill off the tie. Soufiane Rahimi added a third eight minutes into time added on to make Canada the first of the hosts to be knocked out.
Morocco made the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup and Ouahbi said the fact his team were “no longer a surprise” was a “great source of pride”.
“I think this is only the beginning and I hope we’ll keep producing this kind of run for many years,” he added.
Marsch said he felt his side had been the better team, to which Ouahbi replied: “In terms of intensity they were good, that has to be said.
“Were they better? Hard to say that when you lose 3-0, it’s a bold claim,” he remarked.
“They were well organised, but I think in the second half there was no contest.
“In any case,” he added, “I’m not sure many teams are going to win by that scoreline in the round of 16.”


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Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of a tight affair in Philadelphia.Photo: Getty Images

Azzedine Ounahi (right) scores Morocco’s second in Houston. Photo: EPA

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Sport

Football

Kylian Mbappe finally breaks through Paraguay resistance to set up a quarter-final against Morocco


Kylian Mbappe finally breaks through Paraguay resistance to set up a quarter-final against Morocco.


While you were sleeping: Mbappe strikes again, ‘surprise side’ Morocco down Canada

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kylian Mbappe finally breaks through Paraguay resistance to set up a quarter-final against Morocco

Mbappe on target

Kylian Mbappe finally breaks through Paraguay resistance to set up a quarter-final against Morocco