Mbappé settles scores with Paraguay after tense World Cup last-16 clash in Philadelphia

France eliminated Paraguay (1-0) on Saturday in Philadelphia in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, courtesy of a Kylian Mbappé penalty, in a match marked by repeated provocations from the Guaranis and highly controversial refereeing by Uzbek official Tantashev.

The referee handed out only three yellow cards to the French side — to Bradley Barcola, Manu Koné and Michael Olise — leaving, according to the Blues, numerous Paraguayan fouls unpunished. At the final whistle, Mbappé did not mince his words. « We knew what kind of match we were going to have, but I think the match we had today and how we played it, that’s very good. We showed we weren’t just a team that knew how to play attacking football. If we have to get our hands dirty, we’ll get our hands dirty — sorry for the expression, » he said.

The French captain then developed his thoughts with frank honesty: « They thought we were going to come and play in a tuxedo, that we were just going to come and do nice moves and one-twos. But we also know how to play dirty football. We did it today, we won and even in that, we were better than them. » A statement that sums up the mindset of a French team ready to adapt to any style to advance in the competition.

Mbappé nearly doubled the lead late in the match, but goalkeeper Orlando Gill pushed away a double attempt from the captain, who remains on seven goals in this World Cup. Already looking ahead, he concluded pragmatically: « It’s their football, it’s their way of playing. Everyone plays with their weapons, there’s only one way, and that’s to win. » France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals.