Long before he became a national World Cup hero, Orlando Gill gave a precious memento to a friend in return for cash. Now the friend is ready to give it back.

France and Paraguay are level in the opening half of their 2026 World Cup last-16 clash in Philadelphia. Near-record warmth is expected today and this is likely to be one of the hottest World Cup matches ever played.

Both teams will look to survive the heat in Philadelphia on Saturday and move on to the quarterfinals, where Morocco await

France striker Kylian Mbappé condemns Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who made racist remarks about him on social media after France eliminated Paraguay from the World Cup.

Now 250 years later, on the fourth of July and in the city of Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed, France used that as a motivator and, through hard work and perseverance, it came out victorious against a stubborn Paraguay with a hard-fought 1-0 win thanks to Kylian Mbappé's penalty shot.

France survived an upset scare from Paraguay to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A Kylian Mbappe 70th-minute penalty was the difference between Les Bleus and La Albirroja in Philadelphia. Kylian Mbappe scored his 19th goal in 19 World Cup games from the spot in the 70th minute.

President Santiago Peña posted a decree on X saying, “The government cannot remain indifferent to this tremendous achievement.”

Kylian Mbappe moved level with Lionel Messi for most goals at this World Cup by scoring his seventh of the tournament with a penalty to defeat a fierce Paraguay side who made life very difficult for France in the extreme heat of Philadelphia.