Mbappe slams Paraguay's tactics after France's 1-0 win in 2026 World Cup Round of 16
France captain Kylian Mbappe criticised Paraguay's approach after Les Bleus secured a 1-0 victory in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match in Philadelphia on July 5. The solitary goal came after 70 minutes, sending France into a quarter-final clash with Morocco in Boston. Mbappe told reporters that Paraguay expected France to play "pretty football" in tuxedos, but his side was ready to get "dirty" and even trade insults, saying "If they tell us to fck off, we will also tell them to fck off". Paraguay had knocked out Germany in the previous round via penalties and were expected to pose a stern test, which they did with aggressive tackling that avoided any bookings against Mbappe and his teammates. For Nigerian fans watching the tournament, the exchange highlights the mental toughness required to progress in high-stakes matches - a lesson that could apply to the Super Eagles' own World Cup ambitions. It also underscores how tactical grit can outweigh flair when advancement is on the line.