A Tactical Shift in the 70th Minute
France entered the match against Paraguay with a clear intention to break down a compact, low‑block defense that the South American side had set up to neutralise their attacking flair.
The deadlock was finally shattered when Kylian Mbappé stepped up to convert a penalty in the 70th minute, sending the ball past Paraguay’s outstretched goalkeeper and sparking jubilation among the French contingent.
Mbappé, after coolly placing the spot‑kick, explained that the squad had prepared specifically for Paraguay’s defensive tactics, emphasizing that Les Bleus were ready to adjust their style to exploit any weakness.
The Paris Saint‑Germain forward added that the team was not solely built around offensive fireworks, but also possessed the discipline to adopt a more physical approach when the situation demanded it.
Didier Deschamps, the French manager and former captain, reinforced the narrative by highlighting the squad’s versatility, noting that the ability to switch between elegant passing and a more gritty, ‘dirty football’ mindset had been a key focus in the build‑up.
Paraguay’s coach, while acknowledging the result, lamented that his side had been out‑maneuvered by a French side that refused to be confined to a single brand of play, instead embracing the tactical flexibility that modern international football requires.
The victory not only secured France’s place in the quarter‑finals but also reinforced their reputation as a team capable of grinding out results, a trait that could prove decisive in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.