Miguel Almirón has had a World Cup to remember… and we’re only arriving at the round of 16.

First came the unwanted history, becoming the first player sent off for covering his mouth while speaking during an altercation in Paraguay’s group game against Türkiye. Now he’s back in the headlines for all the right reasons after helping fire his nation into a mouthwatering clash with France.

If this Paraguay side has a heartbeat, I’d argue it’s Almirón.

Back from suspension against Germany, the former Atlanta United star wasted little time reminding everyone what he’d been missing. He started the move that ended with Matías Galarza picking out Julio Enciso for the opening goal, giving Paraguay the platform for one of the biggest shocks of the World Cup.

The rest was pure Paraguay.

They soaked up wave after wave of German pressure, survived 120 draining minutes and then held their nerve to win an unforgettable penalty shootout.

For MLS fans, there was something familiar about it all.

From MLS to World Cup hero status

Almirón’s rise really took off in Atlanta under Gerardo Martino. He won MLS Cup, was named MVP of the final and earned the move to Europe that turned him into one of Paraguay’s biggest football exports. Nearly a decade later, he’s no longer the explosive young playmaker carrying every attack, but he has become the leader this team looks to when the pressure is highest.

He wasn’t the only MLS connection on the pitch either. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas produced another tireless display over the full 120 minutes, while Braian Ojeda brought fresh energy from the bench. Galarza, who spent the first half of the season with Atlanta United, also played his part in the move that produced Paraguay’s goal.

Paraguay’s run hasn’t been built around superstar names. It’s been built on discipline, belief and a group completely bought into Gustavo Alfaro’s ideas.

Almirón just happens to be the face of it.

Now he heads into a last-16 showdown with France carrying the hopes of a country that has already written one of the stories of the 2026 World Cup. If they can overcome Deschamps’ favorites, it will go down in history.

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