France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.

During the 1982 World Cup, a 22-year-old Diego Maradona was beginning to reveal the extraordinary talent that would eventually make him one of football's greatest players. Standing in his way was Italy centre-back Claudio Gentile -- ironically anything but gentle.

Didier Deschamps feared that Kylian Mbappe would be "chopped down" by Paraguay in Saturday's ill-tempered clash in Philadelphia, which saw France advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Top favourites France will be eyeing a place in the quarterfinals as they take on Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at Philadelphia Stadium tonight.

No supercomputer can account for the emotion, pressure and sheer unpredictability that unfold once the stakes reach this level. Nobody knows what tomorrow's headline will be.

Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp launched a scathing attack on VAR after Germany's extra-time winner was ruled out in their dramatic World Cup Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted his side can no longer be considered among football's elite after their stunning Round of 32 exit to Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil's Vinicius Junior scored twice in his side's 4-1 Copa America victory over Paraguay in a Group D clash at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada on Saturday, bouncing back from a lacklustre display in his first game of the tournament.

Argentina will play a FIFA friendly match against Paraguay at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on November 18, three days after the venue will host Paraguay and Venezuela, according to official twitter accounts of Venezuela and Paraguay football governing bodies.

Paraguay opens its Israel embassy in Jerusalem today, the second country to follow the United States in making the politically sensitive move from Tel Aviv.

The 39th Dakar Rally revs into gear on Monday in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion, the start of a punishing route at often giddy altitudes that the competitors admit they are scared by.

Ecuador romp to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Venezuela to reignite their 2018 World Cup qualifying challenge as Paraguay's bid suffers a setback with a defeat to struggling Bolivia.

Police in Paraguay raid a drug lord's prison cell, only to find he was living a life of luxury - with a kitchen, plasma TV and a library.

Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz resigns following his team's first-round exit at the Copa America Centenario, the Paraguay Football Federation said.

Vast areas in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil is being hit by the worst flooding in 50 years, forcing the evacuation of more than 150,000 people.

The president of Paraguay fires the head of the country's indigenous affairs office after he apparently kicked an indigenous woman.

Argentina remain winless in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup without Messi after a 0-0 draw in a physical clash with Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.

Sergio Aguero will adopt the No. 10 shirt for Argentina while it is left vacant due to the injury of its usual wearer, Lionel Messi.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be back in action before the two months originally stipulated, Argentina team doctor Donato Villani has said.