Emma KempUpdated July 5, 2026 — 7:11am,first published 6:56am7.11amIt’s hot in PhiladelphiaBy Like, really hot. Hovering around 37 degrees, according to the worldwide web.The weather has not stopped the early exchanges of this match from looking exactly how one might expect it to look. France have 90 per cent possession and have completed 77/85 passes compared to Paraguay’s 4/9.France’s Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Digne go for a header with Paraguay’s Diego Gomez.AP Photo/Petr David Josek6.56amThe teams: Paraguay v FranceBy Didier Deschamps has made one change to the team who beat Sweden 3-0 in the round of 32, bringing Manu Kone into midfield in place of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni.Tchouameni is out with a muscle problem, assistant coach Guy Stephan said.“He has a slight muscle issue in the adductor area, although it is a somewhat broader area,” Stephan said. “He picked it up in training and will receive treatment and a few days’ rest.Kylian Mbappe chats on the sidelines before the game in Philadelphia.AP Photo/Martin Meissner“It is difficult to say today how long that will be, but we all hope it will not be for long. A return for the quarter-finals? It is possible. But time is also against us, with a potential match in five days.”6.51amClinical Morocco ease past Canada to reach quarter-finalsBy Ounahi scores twice after Morocco failed to attempt a shot until the 28th minuteMorocco lost Ismael Saibari to a hamstring injury in the 22nd minuteMorocco will face Paraguay or France in the quarter-finalsMorocco dispatched a determined Canada 3-0 in the World Cup’s last 16 on Saturday as Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and the North Africans ended the co-hosts’ record run while advancing to the quarter-finals for the second time in a row.The scoreline flattered Morocco, who were on the back foot for most of the opening period and failed to register an attempt on goal until the 28th minute after Canada had spurned a number of solid chances.The tame first-half performance caused Morocco’s visibly frustrated coach Mohamed Ouahbi to shake his head on the touchline following misplaced passes and needless errors before his players turned things around in the second period.“It’s a World Cup match and these are difficult games with teams playing for their lives,” he said. “We reacted very well in the second half in the second balls and the duels.”6.45amHello and welcomeBy I know, I know, it’s barely been 24 hours since the Socceroos were eliminated and why would we bother getting up so soon after the heartbreak? But hey, it’s also been barely a day since Cape Verde almost took Argentina to penalties, and wasn’t that match on its own enough motivation for another day of football?Besides, the round of 16 started this morning, so that’s new. If you, like me, weren’t yet awake to see Morocco defeat Canada 3-0, then know that Morocco defeated Canada 3-0. More on that soon.And also more soon on today’s other game: Paraguay v France, from 7am (AEST).And if you’d like something to read as we get warmed up, well ...The good news, if you’re ready for that, is these Socceroos will improve‘I found out when you guys did’: Ryan and Beach didn’t know goalkeeper switch was coming‘Big mistake’: Ex-Socceroos attack Popovic’s gambles as Australia exit World CupTwo defensive giants and a crushing blow: How the Socceroos rated against EgyptMy friend, you’re the best’: Zlatan’s message to shattered Herrington1 of 1