The confrontation between France and Paraguay for the round of 16 of the World Cup 2026 relives one of the most memorable matches of the 1998 World Cup. 28 years ago, the French eliminated La Albirroja thanks to a Golden Goal from Laurent Blanc in the 114th minute of extra time, in a match that ended up being one of the most difficult on the way to the Blues’ first world title.
Didier Deschamps will once again be the protagonist of this match, although now from the bench. In 1998 he was the captain of the French team led by Aimé Jacquet, a team that arrived as a great favorite after completing a perfect group stage, even without Zinédine Zidane, suspended for that match.
However, Paraguay was very close to delivering the big blow. With a solid defensive structure and a memorable performance by goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, La Albirroja resisted for almost two hours of play and pushed the host to the limit. Only a goal from Laurent Blanc, after an assist from David Trezeguet, broke the tie and sealed the French classification under the then current Golden Goal rule.
Years later, both Blanc and Emmanuel Petit remembered that match as one of the most distressing moments of the World Cup won by France. Now, the stage will be the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Paraguay will seek to write a different story. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill appears as the heir to the challenge that Chilavert took on almost three decades ago and arrives strengthened after his outstanding performance in the penalty shootout against Germany.
