Alagoano stage Overview

Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as France progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a laboured 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday evening. The South Americans, who upset Germany in the previous round, were always expected to be awkward opponents for the tournament favourites but it was nonetheless surprising just how much Didier Deschamps' stellar forward line struggled to create chances in Philadelphia.

Bruno Guimaraes has hit back at suggestions that Brazil are the overwhelming favourites against Norway, accusing Erling Haaland of cleverly shifting the pressure onto the five-time champions ahead of Sunday's World Cup round-of-16 clash, while also revealing his excitement for a personal battle with Martin Odegaard in midfield.

Morocco’s World Cup triumph over Canada was marred by a serious injury to star midfielder Ismael Saibari, who was forced off early in the first half. The 25-year-old, who recently secured a high-profile move to German giants Bayern Munich, appeared devastated as he left the pitch.

Jesse Marsch struck a defiant tone after Canada's World Cup dream came to an end with a 3-0 defeat to Morocco, insisting his side outplayed their opponents for long spells, while also revealing why Alphonso Davies was left as an unused substitute for the crucial last-16 clash.