Paraguay's resurgence in the 2026 World Cup reached a historic milestone when they eliminated defending champions Germany 2-1 in Philadelphia, marking their most significant tournament achievement in nearly three decades. The victory extended their defensive fortress reputation, with coach Gustavo Alfaro's tactical adjustments proving decisive after their opening 4-1 loss to the United States. Now the South Americans face France in the quarterfinals, a team that dispatched Argentina in the Round of 16 and features Kylian Mbappé and an unprecedented attacking arsenal under Didier Deschamps.