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France star Kylian Mbappé has said the French team also know how to play ugly football, after their hardfought 1-0 win against Paraguay in Saturday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 clash.
Mbappé broke through against a physical, defensive-minded Paraguay side when he converted a penalty kick in the 70th minute, following a foul on substitute Desire Doue.
That was enough for Les Bleus, whose red-, white- and blue-clad fans looked plenty patriotic on July Fourth in the city where the United States was founded 250 years ago.
After celebrating the win that put France in the quarterfinals, Mbappé sent a message to the other teams left at the World Cup, saying his side can also get its “hands dirty” and adjust to “ugly” tactics.
Also Read: Vinicius Backs Mbappe To Become A Legend At Real Madrid
“We knew what kind of match we were going to have,” Mbappé was quoted by ESPN. “We can also get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready.”
Mbappé, 27, has seven goals in this World Cup, tied with Lionel Messi, and 19 in his 19 World Cup matches — just one behind the Argentine, who holds the record for the most goals scored in the competition.
Mbappé also became the only player to score at least three goals in the knockout stage of three World Cups.
The Real Madrid star would hope to continue his impressive scoring form when France take on Morocco in the quarterfinals.
3 Comments
Mbappe 7 Goals
Messi 7 Goals
Halland 5 Goals
Kane 5 Goals
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So Paraguay wanted to kick, shove and bully their way into the next round?
Whatever happened to actually playing football? Whatever happened to fair play?
The ref in this game needs to be probed, and banned from football. He should explain how Paraguay got no yellow cards. Yes, let him provide a detailed explanation. If he needs extra sheets, it should be given to him. Let him explain himself! Bloody cheat!
As for the Paraguay coach and players, they are a total disgrace to the game of football. That is their lasting legacy. I laughed out loud as I watched Paraguay players fall to the ground at the slightest touch. Tackles that little girls will remain standing for, made grown Paraguay men fall to the ground! In fact, if small breeze blow them, Paraguay players will start rolling on the ground in severe pain. On several occasions, they had their filthy hands on French players, pushing and shoving. Trying so hard to get French players booked or even sent off.
Shame, shame shame! Shame to Paraguay!!!
FIFA, please ban these fools and hit them with a huge monetary fine!
Our players can learn a lot from this game. Sometimes, you will meet opponents with animalistic behaviour. Just keep calm, don’t allow them to provoke or anger you, because that is exactly what they want! Never put your hands on an opponent! Don’t stand there exchanging words with them. Just carry on with the business of the day. They need you to get yellow cards and hopefully get sent off, as that increases their chances of winning the game. We must not fall for that! Like France, stay calm and composed, win your match, and celebrate in the end!
You play with your tactics and strengths. Good job by paraguay