France progressed past Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with Kylian Mbappe’s successful penalty bringing him level with Lionel Messi at seven goals in the Golden Boot race.
The win came as Mexico prepared to face England, and Morocco continued its run after beating another opponent.
Key Facts
- Mbappe and Messi both have seven goals.
- France defeated Paraguay in the last‑16.
- Morocco advanced further in the tournament.
- Haaland and Kane each have five goals.
- Vinícius Júnior and Mikel Oyarzabal each have four goals.
What happened in the match?
France faced Paraguay in a tightly contested last‑16 game. Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty that secured the win for France and also moved him onto the top of the Golden Boot leaderboard alongside Lionel Messi.
What does the Golden Boot race look like now?
Both Mbappe and Messi share the lead with seven goals each. Behind them, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane each have five, while Vinícius Júnior and Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal sit on four.
What happens next?
Mexico’s upcoming match against England will determine which team moves forward, and Morocco’s progression sets up another knockout encounter.
What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- France beat Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 last‑16.
- Mbappe scored a winning penalty.
- Mbappe and Messi both have seven goals in the tournament.
- Haaland, Kane, Vinícius Júnior and Oyarzabal have five, five, four and four goals respectively.
- Mexico will play England, and Morocco continues its run.
Still unconfirmed:
- The exact scoreline of the France‑Paraguay match.
- The dates and venues of the upcoming Mexico‑England and Morocco fixtures.
- Whether any other players are close to the Golden Boot tally.
Why it matters: Tracking the Golden Boot race adds excitement to the tournament and highlights which players are influencing their teams’ chances.
What to watch: The outcomes of Mexico vs England and Morocco’s next knockout game will shape the remainder of the competition.