{"id":33533,"date":"2026-07-06T01:47:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T05:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/france-shines-in-phillys-world-cup-finale-for-another-sell-out-crowd\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T01:47:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T05:47:38","slug":"france-shines-in-phillys-world-cup-finale-for-another-sell-out-crowd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/design-providers.com\/rise\/france-shines-in-phillys-world-cup-finale-for-another-sell-out-crowd\/","title":{"rendered":"France shines in Philly\u2019s World Cup finale for another sell out crowd"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This story originally appeared on WHYY\u2019s Billy Penn<\/a>.<\/em>\n<\/p>\n

Hot dogs, parades and fireworks: quintessential pieces to a Fourth of July celebration.\n<\/p>\n

For the second-straight year, Philadelphia can add world-class soccer to that list.\n<\/p>\n

The City of Brotherly Love held its sixth and final FIFA World Cup game, a round of 16 matchup where two-time champions France defeated Paraguay 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.\n <\/p>\n

The game was another sellout in the South Philly stadium, the fifth straight, and the stands were painted with the red, white and blue that both France and Paraguay\u2019s flags share.\n<\/p>\n

There were plenty who showed up in U.S.A. jerseys and gear as well.
\nAndrew Herman (left) came from Chicago to watch the game with his father-in-law, Center City resident Jeff Braff. (Nick Kariuki\/Billy Penn)\n<\/p>\n

\u201cSoccer can be a July Fourth activity in America,\u201d said Andrew Herman. \u201cThis is a phenomenal way to celebrate and show everyone else from other countries what America is about.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Herman came in from Chicago for the game and was watching it with his father in-law, Center City resident Jeff Braff.\n<\/p>\n

Braff had attended a World Cup in 1994, when the U.S. last hosted the tournament. He had to go to Washington D.C. for that game though, since Philly was not a host city. He said there was more excitement this tournament, particularly because the current men\u2019s national team was stronger.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so wonderful to have us be a host city,\u201d Braff said. \u201cThe city is super charged \u2026 I was in Reading Terminal Market this afternoon and [there were] people from all over wearing all different jerseys. It\u2019s really exciting.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

The stadium previously hosted soccer on July Fourth last year, in the\u00a0FIFA Club World Cup game between Chelsea and Palmeiras<\/a>. France\u2019s Malo Gusto was on the Chelsea side playing that game, but did not leave the bench for France\u2019s match.
\nDee Sherpa tries to get a break from the heat in the stadium concourse. (Nick Kariuki\/Billy Penn)\n<\/p>\n

Temperatures were pushing into the triple digits as the\u00a0extreme heat wave continued\u00a0to impact the region. FIFA and stadium organizers\u00a0worked to keep everyone safe in the heat<\/a>, and even handed out free bottles of water to fans on their way in. Inside the stadium concourse, the lines for the water fountains were as long as the ones for the merchandise shops.\n<\/p>\n

Sitting in the stands watching the teams practice was too much for Baltimore resident Dee Sherpa. She had to take a break in the shelter of the concourse before kickoff.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s way hotter than I expected,\u201d she exclaimed.\n<\/p>\n

Despite her discomfort, Sherpa said it was all worth it.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is one of the [hardest experiences], but it\u2019s a lifetime experience, so I wouldn\u2019t lose it,\u201d she said.
\nSoccer fans in Philadelphia Stadium line up for one of the water fountains ahead of the FIFA World Cup game between France and Paraguay on the Fourth of July. the region was under extreme heat conditions during the game. (Nick Kariuki\/Billy Penn)\n<\/p>\n

The matchup was billed as a David vs. Goliath battle, with Paraguay having already surprised the world by defeating four-time World Cup champions Germany in penalties the round before<\/a>. \u00a0Head coach Gustavo Alfaro managed to get his side through by playing an ultra defensive low block tactic, often referred to as \u201cparking the bus.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Markos Mantes and Thomas Hautzinger from Heidelberg, Germany, still came to Philly for Saturday\u2019s game, wearing their Germany jerseys.
\nGermany fans Thomas Hautzinger (left) and Markos Mantes make their way to the stadium. (Nick Kariuki\/Billy Penn)\n<\/p>\n

The matchup was billed as a David vs. Goliath battle, with Paraguay having already surprised the world by defeating\u00a0four-time World Cup champions Germany in penalties the round before<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

Markos Mantes and Thomas Hautzinger from Heidelberg, Germany, still came to Philly for Saturday\u2019s game, wearing their Germany jerseys.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cGermany [didn\u2019t] play very well in the games before. So, at the end, it was okay that Paraguay reached this last match, though, because at the end, they deserved the win,\u201d Mantes said.\n<\/p>\n

Neither Mantes nor Hautzinger were supporting a side in the game. They expected France to win, but weren\u2019t ruling out another upset for Paraguay.\n<\/p>\n

On Friday, underdog Cabo Verde nearly pulled off what would have been a strong contender for greatest World Cup shock, forcing defending champions Argentina to a 3-2 win in extra time.\n<\/p>\n

Match report<\/h2>\n

To match the grandeur of the day, the opening ceremonies were scaled up to commemorate America\u2019s 250th birthday.\n<\/p>\n

The singing of America\u2019s anthem was moved closer to kickoff than previous matches, and performed by Tony Award-winning singer Idina Menzel. \u201cThe Star-Spangled Banner\u201d was followed by a rendition of \u201cAmerica the Beautiful\u201d by\u00a0Philly Boys Choir & Chorale<\/a>\u00a0and a performance by Philly\u2019s own The Roots while Miss Pennsylvania, Stephanie Skinner, came out in a dress that was made up of over 1,000 square meters of fabric. The July Fourth ceremonies involved a cast of around 180 and more than 100 crew members to carry it out.\n <\/p>\n