Morocco dismantled Canada with three second-half strikes in Houston to become the first African nation to reach multiple World Cup quarter-finals, while France laboured past a resolute Paraguay in Philadelphia to join them in the last eight. The outcomes confirm a quarter-final between the two sides on 9 July, a direct repeat of the 2022 semi-final. The North Africans, who had struggled to break down Canada’s high press in a goalless first half, seized control after the interval when Azzedine Ounahi pounced in the 50th minute. The midfielder, later named man of the match, doubled his tally on a breakaway in the 82nd minute, and substitute Soufiane Rahimi added a third deep into stoppage time. Canada, appearing in the knockout stage for the first time, faded after their initial tactical discipline gave way, but exit with their best-ever tournament performance.

France’s progress was far less fluent. Paraguay, under Gustavo Alfaro, erected a defensive block that limited the reigning world champions to sterile possession for long stretches. Kylian Mbappé, closely marked throughout, was rendered peripheral until a 70th-minute intervention by the video assistant referee. A challenge on substitute Désiré Doué was deemed a foul inside the area, and Mbappé converted the penalty with customary calm. In Buenos Aires and Asunción, the decision provoked sharp debate, with Argentine media highlighting how a marginal call ended Paraguay’s first knockout appearance since 2010. The South Americans, who had eliminated Germany on penalties in the previous round, departed the tournament unbeaten in regular time over that round-of-32 tie, but could not repeat that resilience against Les Bleus.

Mbappé’s spot-kick drew him level with Lionel Messi on seven goals atop the Golden Boot race, while his nine assists leave him as the tournament’s chief creator. The France captain also became the first player to score at least three times in the knockout phase of three different World Cups. Across Africa, Moroccan outlets celebrated Ounahi’s double as the first by an African in a World Cup knockout match since 2002, and hailed the team’s feat as a consolidation of the continent’s growing tournament presence. For Canada, the exit was met with a mix of pride and disappointment, their run having already shattered the nation’s long-standing win drought in the competition.

The bracket now pits Morocco against France at Boston’s Gillette Stadium. The match revives a 2022 semi-final in which the French prevailed 2-0 en route to the final; this time, Morocco arrive with a deeper squad and the confidence of having already exceeded their predecessor’s exploits. The victor will await the winner of England versus Mexico or Brazil against Norway in the semi-finals.