World Cup 2026: Doué rescues France in ugly Paraguay win, Morocco awaits

France needed a hero, and Désiré Doué answered the call. In one of the ugliest games of the 2026 World Cup so far, Les Bleus scraped past a cynical Paraguay side 1-0, booking a quarterfinal date with Morocco in Boston on Thursday night. The match was marred by constant provocation from the Paraguayan players, who turned the encounter into a physical battle rather than a football contest. The officiating of referee Tantashev did nothing to restore order, with his inability to control the game drawing widespread criticism. It was the kind of performance that raises serious questions about refereeing standards at the highest level. Amidst the chaos, Doué's introduction proved to be the turning point. The PSG winger brought pace, creativity and composure to a French attack that had been stifled for much of the game. His decisive contribution underlines his growing importance to this squad and his ability to thrive under immense pressure. All eyes now turn to the quarterfinal, where France will face Morocco in what promises to be a blockbuster encounter. The 2022 World Cup semifinal between these two sides remains fresh in memory, and the Atlas Lions will be desperate for revenge. For the Caribbean and African diaspora communities, this is a fixture that carries deep emotional significance on both sides. France will need a significant improvement in performance if they are to advance past Morocco. Thursday's clash in Boston has all the ingredients for a classic World Cup quarterfinal.