The United States may not have been in action on Independence Day, but France — who fittingly played an important role in the Revolutionary War — was on the pitch in Philadelphia against Paraguay in a massive Round of 16 clash for a trip to the quarterfinals.

It was a hot day in the birthplace of our nation, and that made things difficult for both teams in more ways than one.

While Paraguay is a great squad, they were significant underdogs against a heavily favored French team led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, who has been lighting it up this tournament.

THIS ‘AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL’ RENDITION BEFORE THE FRANCE VS PARAGUAY MATCH WILL GIVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS

French and Paraguayan players get into a shoving match during their Round of 16 match on Saturday in Philadelphia. (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images)

Obviously, the heat itself is a factor, but it also made for a slower pitch, something that was believed to play into the hands of Paraguay.

However, most of the action in the first half was played on their end as France put the pressure on through the first half hour of the match.

It was intense, and that intensity boiled over in the 35th minute with some pushing and shoving after Mbappé and Paraguay’s Andrés Cubas started a wild shoving match.

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But while the intensity ramped up — and stayed high for pretty much the entire game — Paraguay weathered the storm and had every reason to feel good about reaching halftime with the game scoreless.

France got some more scoring opportunities in the early part of the second half, including a near-breakaway for Mbappé.

France’s Kylian Mbappe scored the go-ahead and ultimately game-winning goal against Paraguay on a penalty kick. (James Lang-Imagn Images)

In the 67th minute, France was awarded a penalty kick for a foul against Desire Doue that had to go to VAR for review, and it was Mbappé who took it.

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Mbappé has tended to do most of his damage in the second half, and that trend continued here with him drilling the penalty past Paraguay goaltender Orlando Gill.

That was his 19th career World Cup goal, and his seventh of this tournament alone, tying him with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the tournament lead.

Paraguay seemed to fade after the Mbappé goal, but turned it on again late, forcing Mike Maignan to make his first save of the day about 89 and a half minutes into the match.

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It seemed like Paraguay’s plan was to try and get a rise out of the French, and they succeeded in drawing three yellow cards. In fact, they even tried to keep that going after the match with players meeting near midfield for some more pushing and shoving.

But France is moving on, and they will take on Morocco in a quarterfinal match on Thursday in Boston.

After the ‘Star Spangled Banner’, the star-studded France team. The World Cup bade farewell to Philadelphia amid celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in this city.

For Les Bleus, the declarations of brilliance had come earlier. This, though, was an illustration they can win ugly, and that their brightest star keeps on shining.

America’s birthday had the feel of just another day for Kylian Mbappe, whose World Cup goals are so frequent, but France’s potential semi-final falls on Bastille Day. Do not bet against Mbappe scoring then, either. Now only Morocco stand in their way of another trip to the last four after Paraguay’s resistance was eventually ended.

The irony may be that a team who had done the apparently impossible by beating Germany on penalties, and who seemed to be playing for spot-kicks again, were beaten by a penalty. Sidefooted in by Mbappe, it brought a punishment to Paraguay for their niggly tactics.

It was nevertheless a sign of their obduracy that a previously free-flowing French side could find no way through their crowded defence in open play. They encountered a Paraguayan roadblock on their route to glory.

But Didier Deschamps helped cross it. With each game comes a further indication that he is bowing out at the peak of his powers. It helps that few have as enviable alternatives but the France manager is an expert at perming between them.

Deschamps is no stranger to influential changes in World Cup matches – just look at the 2022 final – and, when stalemate beckoned, Desire Doue replaced Bradley Barcola. Four minutes later, he drew the decisive challenge.

A mazy solo run was ended when Doue was hacked down by Diego Gomez. In a quirk, Doue, who had stayed down, was forced to stay off the pitch for a minute in which the penalty he won was scored.

He and Barcola, Paris Saint-Germain teammates, seem to have a job-share for the role on France’s left flank, a modern-day version of the “staffeta”, when Italian No 10s Gianni Rivera and Sandro Mazzola alternated in the 1970 World Cup. Doue lacks Barcola’s scorching speed, but perhaps this was not a game for the roadrunner. His replacement’s dribbling skills came to the fore.

So Mbappe sent Orlando Gill the wrong way from the penalty spot. It was his 19th World Cup goal; still more remarkably, an 11th in the knockout stages, which is as many as Cristiano Ronaldo has in total. Mbappe is now only one behind Lionel Messi in the all-time standings again, with their private contest set to continue at least as far as the quarter-finals. It could contain another shootout in the final.

Gill had been the scourge of the Germans in the last 32. This could have been France against Germany and the chances are that Les Bleus would have preferred it was. It might have made for a more open game.

Instead, there was a first half without a shot on target; Manu Kone had the belated first. In the 96th minute, as the game opened up, Gill made a brilliant double save from Mbappe.

It was a rare opening. After their shambolic start against the United States, Paraguay may have been the best organised side in the tournament. The French found them the most irritating.

France were stifled by the combination of suffocating heat – as thermometers topped 100 degrees, Barcola managed to spend the first half in the shade – and defiant Paraguayan defending; Gustavo Alfaro ensured France’s feared front four faced a five-man rearguard.

Paraguay left the enterprising Julio Enciso up front a lone striker. The Brighton player made a good go of it, embarking on a series of solo runs, but his was a thankless task. He ran himself into the ground and was removed after an hour. But his side had a lone shot on target. Their gameplan was rendered redundant when they conceded.

And their attempts to beat France were concentrated on the unedifying as tempers frayed amid high temperatures. Mbappe pushed Andres Cubas in the chest in one contretemps. The agent provocateur Matias Galarza chopped down the France captain off the ball and later floored Jules Kounde with an elbow.

Strangely, the Paraguayans seemed immune to bookings; ludicrously it was the first time since 1998 they completed a World Cup game without a yellow card. The referee Ilgiz Tantashev repeatedly ignored incidents of skulduggery, from timewasting to off-the-ball attacks, as the caution count ended 3-0 to France. Tantashev’s laissez-faire officiating continued; it took an intervention from VAR before he gave the penalty. Paraguay then tried to scuff up the spot.

Mbappe stroked the spot kick in anyway, Ousmane Dembele laughing at the Paraguayan attempts at gamesmanship, and Deschamps may sense a sequel. He has said he does not discuss his playing career with his charges; some were not born, others too young to remember it. But in the 1998 World Cup, France edged past a defensive, obstinate Paraguay side 1-0 in the last 16. They went on to win the tournament.

On a day the United States revelled in its past, Deschamps may feel history is repeating itself.

Tony Finau rolled in a 28-foot, 5-incher. 

And a 31-foot, 8-incher.

And a 36-foot, 9-incher.

And 45-foot, 5-incher. 

And a 67-foot, 8-incher. 

You want Fourth of July weekend fireworks? Here are Fourth of July weekend fireworks, which came during Friday’s second round of the John Deere Classic. Added together with his other 13 made putts at TPC Deere Run, Finau nearly set a record — he sank 236 feet, 3 inches worth of putts, which is the second-highest mark since 2004, when the PGA Tour started recording the stat. 

Notably, there were also short makes among that total — a 4-incher, a 6-incher, an 11-incher, a 12-incher, a 17-incher and a 22-incher. Had Finau made 4 feet, 2 inches more, he would have surpassed Brett Geiberger’s mark of 240 feet, 4 inches, set during the first round of the 2006 Kemper. (During the second round of the 2022 Open Championship, Cameron Smith made 255 feet worth of putts — but the PGA Tour doesn’t track Open Championships.) 

In Finau’s round, he averaged just over 13 feet of made putt per hole, and he had 27 total putts, including nine one-putts and no three-putts. He finished with a three-under 68. 

As for how he started Saturday’s third round? He rolled in a 13-incher for birdie. 

Below is a look at Finau’s makes over the 18 holes, along with the Tour’s top five in the category. 

Distances of Tony Finau’s made putts during the John Deere Classic’s second round 

Holes 10-18 (Finau stared on the back nine)
577-yard, par-5 10th: 2 feet, 1 inch (par)
440-yard, par-4 11th: 12 inches (bogey)
192-yard, par-3 12th: 2 feet (bogey)
428-yard, par-4 13th: 6 inches (par)
369-yard, par-4 14th: 17 inches (par)
474-yard, par-4 15th: 36 feet, 6 inches (birdie)
164-yard, par-3 16th: 22 inches (par)
565-yard, par-5 17th: 4 feet, 10 inches (birdie)
480-yard, par-4 18th: 3 feet, 10 inches (par)

Holes 1-9
425-yard, par-4 1st: 3 feet (par)
550-yard, par-5 2nd: 31 feet, 8 inches (eagle)
197-yard, par-3 3rd: 67 feet, 8 inches (birdie)
501-yard, par-4 4th: 4 inches (par)
424-yard, par-4 5th: 28 feet, 5 inches (par)
373-yard, par-4 6th: 2 feet, 1 inch (bogey)
227-yard, par-3 7th: 45 feet, 5 inches (birdie)
436-yard, par-4 8th: 11 inches (par)
489-yard, par-4 9th: 2 feet, 9 inches (par)
18-hole total: 236 feet, 3 inches

Most feet of putts made in a PGA Tour round since 2004

-Brett Geiberger, 2006 Kemper first round, 240 feet, 4 inches 

-Tony Finau, 2026 John Deere Classic second round, 236 feet, 3 inches 

-Sami Valinaki, 2025 Genesis Scottish Open second round, 226 feet, 5 inches  

-Daniel Berger, 2019 3M Open final round, 223 feet, 6 inches  

-Chris Stroud, 2014 Charles Schwab Challenge second round, 221 feet, 4 inches  

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Promoter Bob Arum backs one of his Top Rank champions to hand Canelo Alvarez the first stoppage defeat of his illustrious career.

In over 100 fights between the professional and amateur codes, Canelo has never even been dropped, let alone defeated in the manner that Arum is seemingly anticipating.

As it happens, the Mexican has only ever suffered three losses in the paid ranks, coming against Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol and Terence Crawford.

On none of those occasions did Alvarez seem close to hitting the canvas, or getting seriously hurt, as he was instead given a comprehensive boxing lesson by each masterful technician.

Even against Gennady Golovkin, with whom he shared 36 rounds, Canelo never appeared in any critical danger while facing the hard-hitting Kazakh.

Yet somehow, veteran promoter Arum believes WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli is the man to finally stop the 35-year-old in his tracks.

The pair are set to collide in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this coming October, with Canelo looking to reclaim a quarter of the undisputed crown he lost to Crawford last September.

Arum, however, has told FightHype that he envisions Mbilli winning by knockout and perhaps ending Alvarez’s Hall of Fame-worthy career.

“We co-promote Mbilli with a Canadian company [Eye of the Tiger], and I [favour] Mbilli to not only beat Canelo but to knock him out.

“I know [Canelo has never been stopped], but Mbilli has the punching power to stop him.”

While the undefeated Mbilli boasts an impressive knockout-to-win ratio, he was unable to put a dent in Lester Martinez when they boxed to a 10-round draw in September.

Manchester United have been linked with various transfers in the summer window, while Marcus Rashford has addressed his future

Manchester United face a pivotal transfer window as Michael Carrick seeks to bolster his squad. The club are preparing to return to the Champions League next season but must recruit effectively to compete across multiple competitions.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson has virtually completed his move from Atalanta as the club addresses Casemiro’s departure. Further midfield additions are expected, but United have seen several of their targets, including Mateus Fernandes, choose to join their Premier League rivals.

Carrick will be looking to strengthen multiple areas of his team this summer, with United’s wide options also facing scrutiny. Marcus Rashford’s future remains uncertain after Barcelona opted not to make his loan spell permanent.

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The England international is currently due to return to United for pre-season following the World Cup. Meanwhile, the club have been linked with a potential move for West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville.

The winger delivered strong performances for the Hammers last season, despite the club’s relegation, and also made his mark on the international stage with the Netherlands this summer. Here, MEN Sport summarises some of the major stories surrounding United.

Marcus Rashford speaks out

Marcus Rashford has made clear that he will not make any decisions regarding his future during the World Cup. The England forward remains a United player after Barcelona opted against triggering their £26m purchase option earlier this summer.

“I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup, I wanted it (a move) done before,” Rashford explained. “If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment. We’re fighting for something special.”

Rashford earned his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad after netting 14 goals and registering 14 assists for Barcelona. Meanwhile, United manager Michael Carrick relied on Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha as his left-sided options in Rashford’s absence last season.

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Top wide target named

West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville is reportedly United’s primary wide target. The 24-year-old can now turn his full attention to his club future after the Netherlands were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the round of 32 at the World Cup.

Sky Sports reports that Summerville is United’s “number one target” on the left flank, though they face competition from other Premier League clubs for his signature. The Dutchman has previously been valued at £50million.

The report states that United have held exploratory discussions with the Hammers, with clarity over Summerville’s future expected following his World Cup exit. The Dutchman contributed two goals and two assists across four appearances at the tournament.

Thousands of Man United fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.

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WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns is all set to make his next official title defense at SummerSlam 2026. On the post-Night of Champions edition of Monday Night RAW, Seth Rollins interrupted The Original Tribal Chief’s closing-segment promo.

The Visionary, who is coming off a major win over Bron Breakker, tried to convince his former Shield brother that he is the best of their generation and said he would be there to induct him into the Hall of Fame when the time comes.

The Shield saga’s final chapter

Rollins also reminded Roman Reigns of his decorated career and suggested this may be their final chance to settle their long-running rivalry.

The OTC didn’t waste time and agreed with what The Visionary had to say, telling him that he was ready to defend his title against him at SummerSlam 2026. Therefore, WWE is now billing this bout as the Shield’s final dance.

Potential reason why The Bloodline may not get involved in Reigns vs Rollins

With Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins booked, many are predicting that The Bloodline could play a vital role in Roman vs. Seth’s World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam.

However, the match may not feature Bloodline interference if Reigns wants to handle Rollins on his own. The theory is based on a fan-shared clip from Raw and social-media transcriptions claiming Reigns told Jacob Fatu that Rollins was his fight and that he did not want help.

If that interpretation is accurate, The Tribal Chief could pass the same message to The Usos. Hence, that could be one reason why The Bloodline may not get involved in the Shield’s final dance.

The “Final Dance” billing also suggests that WWE may want Reigns and Rollins to settle their rivalry directly, which could point towards a cleaner finish.

Roman Reigns’ recent WWE streak

Since winning the Royal Rumble 2026, The Original Tribal Chief has been riding a major streak this year. He defeated CM Punk clean at WrestleMania 42 to capture the World Heavyweight Championship, then he defended his title twice against Jacob Fatu.

That booking gives WWE a reason to keep Reigns looking strong heading into SummerSlam. A clean win over Seth Rollins would allow him to close another chapter of The Shield saga while strengthening his run as World Heavyweight Champion.