France edged past Paraguay 1-0 in a tightly contested Round of 16 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mbappé’s stance on physical play
Kylian Mbappé, who converted the winning penalty after a foul on Désiré Doué, said France is prepared to play dirty when the situation calls for it, emphasizing the team’s willingness to fight for every ball.
The decisive spot‑kick was only awarded after a video review confirmed that Paraguay’s defender had tripped Doué inside the box, a call that shifted the match’s balance.
Coaches react to the officiating
France coach Didier Deschamps criticized the referee for what he perceived as an overly lenient stance toward Paraguay’s aggressive challenges, urging stricter enforcement of the rules.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro defended his side’s fighting spirit, describing his players as lions who gave everything until the final whistle.
A former referee’s verdict
Patrick Ittrich, a veteran official, lambasted the match referee for losing control, saying the game needed tighter supervision to prevent unnecessary roughness.
Despite the controversy, the narrow victory underscores France’s resilience and sets up a promising path forward in the tournament.