France edges Paraguay 1-0 in heated World Cup clash marred by unpunished punch on Mbappé
A Kylian Mbappé penalty sent France into the World Cup quarter-finals, but the match in Philadelphia was overshadowed by a punch on the French captain that went unpunished and a series of Paraguayan provocations.
Match overview
France booked a quarter-final date with Morocco after a tense 1-0 win over Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field. Mbappé converted a 70th-minute penalty awarded after a VAR review, the only goal of a match played in nearly 40°C heat (felt like 46°C). The Équipe Tricolore dominated possession (over 80%) but struggled to break down a deep-lying Paraguay defence that had previously eliminated Germany on penalties in the round of 16.
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Paraguay's approach drew sharp criticism. Players repeatedly provoked French opponents, and Gustavo Velázquez was caught on camera trying to damage the penalty spot before Mbappé's decisive kick. No yellow card was shown. After the final whistle, a predictable scuffle broke out, with Paraguay's players confronting both the French team and referee Ilgiz Tantashev. Assistant coach Carlos González received the only booking for Paraguay, a post-match yellow card.
That is a disgusting footballer. Look at this. I've had it with him.
The Galarza punch
The most contentious incident came in the 38th minute. Matias Galarza struck Mbappé with his fist in a midfield duel, a blow that referee Tantashev and the VAR both ignored. Former Bundesliga referee Patrick Ittrich, working as an expert for MagentaTV, was unequivocal.
It's a clean punch. He takes his fist and hits him towards the shoulder. For me, that's a red card by the rules. Even an attempted act of violence is an act of violence. Nobody could have complained if the VAR had intervened and sent him off.
Referee criticism
Tantashev, from Uzbekistan, was accused of losing control. Jan Henkel said the official "didn't have the game under control at all," while Ittrich argued the assistant referee should have alerted Tantashev via radio when Velázquez tampered with the penalty spot. The high tolerance for physical play allowed Paraguay to turn the match, in the words of commentator Wolff Fuss, into a "bar brawl."
- Manu Koné's deflected long-range shot, France's first attempt on goal.
- Matias Galarza punches Kylian Mbappé; no card given.
- Mbappé converts a penalty after a VAR review to make it 1-0.
- Post-match scuffle; Paraguay assistant coach Carlos González booked.
What's next
France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday at 22:00 CEST in Boston. The performance raised questions about the favourites' vulnerability, but Deschamps' side survived a character test in punishing conditions.
