Foreign press condemn Paraguay’s rough play as France reach quarters through Mbappé penalty | OneFootball

France reached the World Cup quarter-finals by beating Paraguay 1-0, their progress sealed by a Kylian Mbappé penalty, as foreign outlets condemned the South Americans’ rugged approach.

Gustavo Alfaro’s side held out in Philadelphia on Saturday until the spot-kick, but their aggression and conduct drew heavy criticism across Europe and the Americas.

In Spain, commentary noted a solid defensive block yet castigated frequent excess. Marca argued the back line looked almost impassable and claimed referee Ilgiz Tantashev tolerated rough, excessive challenges, even appearing to miss or ignore fouls. Mundo Deportivo portrayed Paraguay as crafty and compact, then pressing but disorganised once France went ahead.

English-language coverage was harsher. The Athletic described a bruising match, praised brave but brutal resistance, and branded Paraguay’s behaviour amateurish and puerile, adding that a limited yet dogged team relied on dirty tricks the referee could not quell.

Germany’s Bild expressed outrage, headlining accusations of vicious blows against France’s stars, saying Paraguay used every means, even the crudest, and judging the display extremely unsporting while crediting Les Bleus for eliminating a brutal side.

By contrast, Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that without Désiré Doué winning the penalty, Paraguay’s defence might have lasted to extra time. It called Alfaro’s blueprint respectable and instead highlighted French shortcomings, with a slow, uninspired showing in stifling heat. ESPN echoed that tone, calling Paraguay combative in an inelegant contest marked by spiky exchanges.

Source: L'Équipe