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France defeats Paraguay 1-0 to advance to World Cup quarter-finals
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
France secured a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earning a spot in the quarter-finals. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the match, played at Philadelphia Stadium in the United States, was a competitive encounter. France controlled possession early on, but Paraguay maintained a compact and organized defense, frustrating French attackers. The first half ended goalless, with both teams making tactical adjustments in the second half. France's pressure eventually paid off in the 70th minute when Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty, giving his team the lead. Paraguay pushed for an equalizer, making additional substitutions, but France managed the game effectively, limiting Paraguay's opportunities. France held on for the win, with yellow cards issued to Bradley Barcola, Manu Kone, and Michael Olise during the match. France will now face Morocco in the quarter-finals. This victory strengthens France's record against Paraguay in World Cup history.
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Must ReadPeter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party, has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of corruption, citing a recent International Monetary Fund IMF report on Nigeria's public finances. Obi stated on Sunday that approximately ₦8.83 trillion in government expenditure for 2025 was not included in the national budget, describing this as "grand corruption." He highlighted that this expenditure, which represents about 2% of Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product, was not subject to legislative oversight or administrative scrutiny. Obi noted that this amount exceeds the combined federal allocations for education and health, suggesting it could significantly improve these sectors if properly utilized. He characterized this as a pattern of financial mismanagement and renewed his call for President Tinubu to resign, urging Nigerians to demand greater accountability. The IMF had previously disclosed that Nigeria's public spending equivalent to about 2% of GDP was unreported in official budgets, which obscured the country's true financing needs and understated the fiscal deficit. Christian Ebeke, IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, confirmed that these unreported expenditures were linked to major government infrastructure projects executed outside the formal budget framework. The IMF warned that this practice complicates policy coordination, weakens oversight, and reduces transparency, but also noted that the Federal Government has started implementing
Must ReadThe All Progressives Congress is facing criticism from opposition parties including the PDP, SDP, and Labour Party for allegedly altering the outcome of its National Assembly primaries. Meanwhile, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, hinted at a future visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria following discussions with President Bola Tinubu. In other news, former Senate President Bukola Saraki pledged to support a first-class UNILORIN graduate's Master's degree pursuit in Italy, and the Federal Government inaugurated a new board for the Bank of Agriculture. Additionally, France secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Paraguay 1-0.
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