France v Paraguay: after Chilavert in 1998, Les Bleus face Orlando Gill | OneFootball

According to Le Progres, Orlando Gill, Paraguay’s shootout hero against Germany, will face France in Philadelphia on Saturday at 23:00. He saved two penalties in a 1-1 after extra time, 4-3 success.

France know Chilavert, now they meet Gill, 28 years on at another World Cup. The 1998 last 16 in Lens still looms, when Paraguay were six minutes from penalties before Laurent Blanc’s golden goal sealed a 1-0 after extra time.

The blueprint could be similar on Saturday. Buoyed by their feat against the Mannschaft, Gustavo Alfaro’s side know they can lean on their keeper in any fresh shootout after his Foxborough display.

Yet Gill, 26, is far less established than Chilavert was. The San Lorenzo goalkeeper in Argentina joined the squad last September, had six caps before the tournament, and was not certain to start amid competition from Roberto Fernandez, 12 years his senior.

That backdrop risked emotional turbulence before Paraguay’s first World Cup in 16 years. His opener against the United States was tough, with four conceded, yet not decisive, despite Chilavert criticising a silence he said did not suit the position.

It took more to shake him. In 2022, amid financial strain, he sold shirts to fund treatment for his sick son. His tournament has brightened since, capped by six saves against Germany.

Gill said he had to battle hard and never gave up, and now feels he is reaping the rewards of those sacrifices. He is ready to try to repeat it against Les Bleus in Philadelphia.

Source: Le Progres