Les bleus
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France Must Avoid Falling Into 'tenacious' Paraguay's Trap: Pires
FIFA World Cup France: As France prepare to face Paraguay in the round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, former French midfielder and winger Robert Pires suggested that France must avoid falling into the trap set by "tenacious and aggressive" Paraguay, who are coming off their stunning elimination of four-time champions Germany.
France and Paraguay are set to meet once again, this time in North America, 28 years after their iconic round-of-16 encounter at the 1998 FIFA World Cup France, where Les Bleus were frustrated for long spells by a superbly organised Paraguay side before Laurent Blanc’s extra-time strike, France’s first ever golden goal, finally sent them into the quarterfinals.
"It will be a similar tactical set-up to 1998. Didier Deschamps is well aware of that, and so are his players. Los Guaranies will sit very deep and park the bus – they’re a tenacious, aggressive team. They will try to frustrate France and wind them up, so Les Bleus will have to keep their cool.
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