France and Paraguay meet again in World Cup last 16, 28 years after Laurent Blanc's golden goal decided the same fixture

A historic rematch

Twenty-eight years after their dramatic World Cup encounter, France and Paraguay meet again in the round of 16. The match kicks off at 23:00 local time on Saturday 4 July at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The fixture immediately revived memories of 28 June 1998, when the two sides played a tense knockout match in Lens that ended with the first golden goal in World Cup history.

The 1998 drama

On a sweltering afternoon at Stade Bollaert, France dominated but could not break down a stubborn Paraguay defence led by goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert. Thierry Henry struck the post in the 38th minute, and Chilavert made several saves. With Zinedine Zidane suspended, the French attack lacked its usual creativity. The match went to extra time, and the new golden goal rule meant the next score would end the contest instantly.

If you don't manage to score quickly, it becomes complicated. We hit the post, Chilavert was in a state of grace. As the minutes passed, the tension rose in the stadium and on the pitch.

In the 114th minute, Robert Pirès crossed from the right, David Trezeguet headed the ball down, and Laurent Blanc volleyed past Chilavert. The referee blew the final whistle immediately, sending France to the quarter-finals and eventually to their first World Cup title.

Paraguay's painful memory

For Paraguay, that defeat remains a deep wound. Fernando Amarillo Ramoa, a journalist for Dia.com.py, told Sud Ouest that it is still "the most painful memory of our football." He noted that it was the first golden goal in World Cup history, and it came against Paraguay, inflicted by the eventual champions. The Paraguayan press has described the upcoming match as a chance to settle a 28-year-old score.

It's the first golden goal in World Cup history, the only one in 1998. And it happened against us, by the future world champion.

What to expect in 2026

The current France squad, still coached by Didier Deschamps (the captain in 1998), enters the match as favourite. Only ten of the 26 players were born when the 1998 match took place. Laurent Blanc, now retired, believes France's superior attacking power should make the difference if they take the initiative early. Paraguay, however, will rely on the defensive organisation that nearly frustrated France three decades ago.