MU Shorts
Real Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Mbappe on target as France beat Paraguay, Brahim shines for Morocco
Real Madrid players continued to have a great World Cup as the Round-of-16 games kicked off in some style.
The first game of the night saw Morocco take on Canada, and the co-hosts came out of the blocks like a team on a mission.
Jesse Marsch’s side looked intense and purposeful against the AFCON champions and produced the much better performance on the night.
However, Morocco showed what top teams do on a regular basis: resilience. They survived the moments against them and, when it was their turn, they were clinical.
The game ended 3-0 in favour of the AFCON champions, with Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz getting assists for the second and third goals.
France took on Paraguay next in a game that was much more than just football. The South American team made life difficult for Les Bleus.
France had the ball, had the moments and had the attacks throughout the game, but found it close to impossible to break Paraguay’s block.
Their only goal in the game came from the spot after Diego Gomez clumsily tripped Desire Doue, and Kylian Mbappe made no mistake from the spot as France beat the South American side 1-0.
Here is how Mbappe and Brahim Diaz fared from Los Blancos’ perspective last night.
Mbappe vs Paraguay
Mbappe scored the only goal as France beat Paraguay 1-0, setting up a date with Morocco in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Real Madrid megastar’s night was not about freedom or flowing football. Paraguay made the match physical, slow and uncomfortable, defending deep and dragging France into a fight rather than allowing them to play in rhythm.
That made his decisive moment even more important. France had gone through the first half without a shot on target, but when Desire Doue won a penalty after the break, Mbappe stayed calm and converted in the 70th minute.
This is the kind of performance that matters in knockout football. Mbappe did not dominate the match in a stylish way, but he still decided it.
This was Mbappe’s seventh goal of the tournament and his 19th World Cup goal overall. He continues to define it with his performances.
Brahim Diaz vs Canada
Brahim’s performance was more creative and arguably more complete. Morocco beat Canada 3-0, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice and Soufiane Rahimi adding the third in stoppage time.
His first assist came in the 82nd minute, when he slipped a precise pass into Ounahi for Morocco’s second goal. Then, in stoppage time, he was involved again as Rahimi finished off the tie.
This was a very encouraging Brahim display. He was not just tidy between the lines. He was decisive.
🌍🇲🇦 Brahim Diaz makes history as African player with most assists in a single World Cup campaign.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 4, 2026
4 assists in 5 games, currently second behind Olise at this World Cup. pic.twitter.com/9AgEhhwN6d
In a match where Canada had more territory, more corners and more touches in the box, Brahim gave Morocco the final-third clarity that turned control into punishment.
That is exactly the quality Real Madrid value in him. Brahim can drift in and out of games, but when he receives between defenders, his balance and timing make him dangerous.
Overall, this was an excellent Real Madrid day. Mbappe solved a brutal match with one ruthless penalty, while Brahim helped Morocco turn a tight knockout tie into a statement win.
The best part is what comes next: France against Morocco, Mbappe against Brahim, and another Real Madrid storyline guaranteed in the quarter-finals.
Real Madrid will lock horns with Elche CF away at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight in Matchday 6 of the 2026/27 La Liga season.
The Merengues are currently second in the league standings with four wins and one defeat from five games, three points behind Barcelona, who are yet to drop a single point this term, and have looked unstoppable.
Given the situation, Real Madrid know there is no room for slip-up, even though it is still very early in the season.
Jose Mourinho’s men have not been particularly convincing away from home this term, having just about managed to beat RCD Espanyol in their opening match before falling to their only defeat of the campaign against Real Betis.
The hope will be to address that issue and put in a strong performance while collecting all three points heading into the derby against Atletico Madrid later in the week.
Going into the match, Los Blancos have not received any new fitness boosts, with Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy still unavailable.
However, there will likely be some rotations with an eye on the derby, and here’s how Mourinho could set his team up against Elche tonight.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had to share minutes with summer signing Denzel Dumfries so far this season, but will be hoping to make the right-back spot his own with a convincing performance tonight against Elche.
Meanwhile, on the left, Alvaro Carreras is expected to retain his place after a brilliant display at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano, which would also allow Marc Cucurella to be protected before the derby.
At centre-back, Dean Huijsen is expected to return to the starting lineup, at the expense of Antonio Rudiger, and partner with Ibrahima Konate.
Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will continue his search for a second clean sheet this season.
Midfield
While Aurelien Tchouameni has returned from his injury layoff, he is unlikely to be rushed back by Mourinho. As such, the Frenchman is likely to feature off the bench once again tonight at Elche.
Instead, the double pivot pairing of Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva is expected to take the field once again, with Eduardo Camavinga also having to settle for a spot among the substitutes.
Jude Bellingham has started all of Real Madrid’s matches so far this season and given his form and importance to the team, Mourinho will not rotate him tonight against Elche.
Attack
Yan Diomande made his first start at Real Madrid last weekend against Rayo Vallecano but failed to make the best impression.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler was once again brilliant for Los Blancos after coming on as a substitute, making a strong case for him to be reinstated to the starting XI on the right wing.
As for the left side of the attack, Vinicius Jr. will retain his place, hoping to find his best form after a rather slow start to the campaign.
Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored six goals in La Liga this season, will spearhead the attack, hoping to end his run of seven months without scoring away from home in the league.
