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The two thousand twenty six World Cup Round of Sixteen is delivering, and Real Madrid's stars are right in the thick of it. Kylian Mbappe got on the scoresheet as France dispatched Paraguay to advance to the quarter-finals, while Brahim Diaz turned in a bright performance for Morocco as they took down co-hosts Canada in what was a statement win for the African side.
Speaking of that France victory, Jules Kounde was the quiet backbone of it all. The Barcelona defender was composed and commanding throughout, doing the unglamorous work that keeps clean sheets intact. France are building momentum at exactly the right time, and their back line looks increasingly difficult to crack.
Shifting to transfer business, and Barcelona's Gavi is making his wishes known publicly. The Spanish midfielder told Mundo Deportivo he would love to see Julian Alvarez leave Atletico Madrid and join the Blaugrana, describing it as something he genuinely wants. With speculation already swirling around the Argentine striker, having a dressing room voice as influential as Gavi's pushing for the move only adds serious fuel to this fire.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
