Orlando Gill says Mbappé refused handshake after France beat Paraguay 1-0 | OneFootball

France beat Paraguay 1-0 in a bruising World Cup last-16 tie, with Orlando Gill saying Les Bleus are among the candidates to become world champions.

According to L'Équipe, France celebrated briefly with their supporters after keeping their heads amid persistent physical and verbal provocation. Didier Deschamps had told his players before kick-off to stay calm in all circumstances.

Kylian Mbappé was targeted most and had anticipated that approach. He said France showed they are not only about attacking flair, that they can embrace the dirty side of football and were even better at it on the night.

Rayan Cherki noted they were primed for a scrap and accepted they would not be able to showcase their technical quality. Bradley Barcola admitted he had not seen a match with so many sly knocks and pushes in the back, calling it complicated.

Post-match, Gill said he went to congratulate Mbappé but the striker refused to shake his hand. France face Morocco in Boston on Thursday in the quarter-final, a very different test that could allow their technique to return to the fore.

Source: L'Équipe