Intense Match: Paraguay’s Aggressive Play Against France in 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match in Philadelphia featured Paraguay’s aggressive approach against France. Known for their physical game, Paraguay made the encounter resemble an American football match, similar to the style seen from the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

France’s midfielder Manu Koné expressed surprise over the rough play. “I had never played a match like this, with so many hits,” he said. “There were cheap shots and shoves in the back. It was complicated.”

Paraguay specifically targeted France’s star forward Kylian Mbappé. In the offensive third, Andrés Cubas grabbed Mbappé, causing a confrontation in the 35th minute. Later, Matias Galarza’s off-the-ball contact sent Mbappé to the ground. In the 77th minute, Juan José Cáceres kicked Mbappé in the shin. Despite these fouls, no yellow cards were issued to Paraguay during the game.

France, however, received three yellow cards, with Paraguay getting one post-match for dissent. Mbappé seemed prepared, noting, “We knew what kind of match it was going to be. We can also play ugly football. They might have thought we’d show up in tuxedos, but we were ready.”

The match remained tense under scorching temperatures. After the game, players from both teams had a heated meeting at the center circle. Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, threw a ball at Mbappé’s back after failing to get his attention for a handshake, confessing he lost his temper.

“From the very first moment, we set out to make our presence felt on the pitch — to play hard,” Gill said. “If the ball gets through, the man doesn’t. I think the team handled itself well.”

France disagreed with this view. Coach Didier Deschamps criticized Paraguay’s tactics, stating, “It’s not the kind of football that draws people to the stadium. Each team played the way they want, but there were insults from the other bench that I could do without.”

Verbal exchanges on the pitch, including one between Mbappé and Galarza, underscored the match’s intensity. France’s William Saliba aptly described the event, “We fought a battle. We won the battle.”