Mbappe involved in first-half scuffle as France face Paraguay in World Cup last 16
Kylian Mbappe was at the centre of a heated exchange with Paraguay's Andres Cubas during the first half of their World Cup round of 16 match at Lincoln Financial Field, with the referee taking no disciplinary action.
France's dominant run
France entered the match as overwhelming favourites after a flawless campaign. They topped their group with wins over Senegal (3:1), Iraq (3:0) and Norway (4:1), then swept aside Sweden 3:0 in the round of 32. Kylian Mbappe scored twice against Sweden, taking his tournament tally to six goals and two assists. Coach Didier Deschamps has a deep squad and his team has yet to show a clear weakness.
Paraguay's giant-killing path
Paraguay reached this stage by defying expectations. They finished third in Group D behind the USA and Australia, beating Turkey 1:0 and drawing 0:0 with Australia after an opening 4:1 loss to the hosts. In the round of 32 they stunned Germany, holding them 1:1 through extra time before winning on penalties. Gustavo Alfaro's side is organised, defensively disciplined and unafraid to suffer without the ball.
First-half flashpoint
The match in Philadelphia was tight from the start, with Paraguay's compact defence frustrating France. Around the 35th minute, Mbappe was fouled and then shoved by Andres Cubas. The French forward pushed back, sparking a confrontation that drew in players from both teams. Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev restored order without issuing any cards. Minutes later, Mbappe was struck on the hand off the ball by a Paraguayan player; the official, standing nearby, did not intervene.
- Mbappe fouled by Cubas; both players shove each other, sparking a multi-player confrontation. No cards issued.
- Mbappe struck on the hand off the ball by a Paraguayan player; referee Tantashev does not react.
What's at stake
The winner advances to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. France are bidding to add a third title, while Paraguay are chasing a second consecutive upset after eliminating Germany. The odds before kick-off reflected the gulf in pedigree: Paraguay 16.00, draw 6.90, France 1.20.
