In brief
France clinched a 1‑0 victory over Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup, thanks to a single penalty from Kylian Mbappe. The game was marked by dirty tricks from the Paraguay side and a referee who missed many fouls. Despite the rough play, the French managed to hold their composure, demonstrating resilience under pressure. The win secures a spot in the quarter‑finals against Morocco.
After a bruising match under the Philadelphia heat, France edged Paraguay 1‑0. Kylian Mbappe calmly converted a penalty that turned a foul into France’s sole goal.
Paraguay’s players used a variety of rough tactics—elbows, shoves, and bad tackles—yet none were booked, while the French side received three yellow cards.
The referee missed several fouls from the South‑American team, leading to criticism over the game’s officiating.
Highlights of the “dirty” play:
- Gustavo Velazquez knocked on the penalty spot before Mbappe’s kick.
- Dayot Upamecano was elbowed in the ribs by Paraguay’s Gabriel Avalos.
- Severin Galarza’s hand touched Jules Kounde’s face during a tussle.
- Andres Cubas tackled Adrien Rabiot poorly.
Despite the rough start, France’s tactical discipline kept them on side, handing Paraguay a loss and securing a quarter‑final place against Morocco.
