Paraguay pin hopes on Orlando Gill against Mbappé’s France amid Philadelphia heat and storm threat | OneFootball

Paraguay face France in the World Cup quarter-finals in Philadelphia at 17:00 local time, with temperatures near 40 degrees, high humidity and a possible electrical storm. France are widely tipped to win the tournament and can call on Mbappé, Dembélé, Doué, Olise or Barcola.

According to Superdeporte, Didier Deschamps granted extra days off after the emphatic win over Sweden, then set training to the same hour as the match. France’s players have been working at that time in the heat on the grass at Bentley University.

Paraguay are expected to sit deep again in front of Orlando Gill, one of this tournament’s breakout figures. The San Lorenzo goalkeeper is being monitored by European clubs, including Valencia, with a price rising from around four million to 10 million. San Lorenzo hold 50% of his rights and his agents the other 50%, so the club may not gain much from a sale.

Gill’s rise followed a harrowing family ordeal on 31 December 2022, when complications forced the premature birth of his son Lautaro, who spent time in intensive care. Not yet established at San Lorenzo, he sold belongings including boots, gloves and match shirts to meet medical costs. Mother and child recovered, his form stabilised, and Gustavo Alfaro called him into Paraguay’s squad.

The 26-year-old, 1.98m goalkeeper says the round of 32 upset against Germany has emboldened the group. He believes Paraguay are ready for anything and that eliminating a world champion is the biggest moment of his career.

Source: Superdeporte