France Overcome Paraguay’s ‘Dark Arts’ in Tense World Cup Encounter

TITLE: France Overcome Paraguay’s ‘Dark Arts’ in Tense World Cup Encounter
SLUG: france-paraguay-world-cup-dark-arts
EXCERPT: France secured a hard-fought victory against Paraguay in a match marred by physicality and controversial tactics, advancing to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
CATEGORY: News
TAGS: France, Paraguay, World Cup, Kylian Mbappe, Didier Deschamps, Joe Hart, Micah Richards
SEO_TITLE: France vs Paraguay: ‘Dark Arts’ and Tense World Cup Victory
SEO_DESCRIPTION: France navigated a physically demanding match against Paraguay, securing a crucial World Cup quarter-final spot amidst accusations of ‘dark arts’ from the South American side.
MEDIA_QUERY: France vs Paraguay World Cup match action
IMAGE_ALT: A photograph capturing a moment of intense play during the France vs Paraguay World Cup match.

France has advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals after a contentious 1-0 victory over Paraguay, a match characterized by the South American side’s aggressive tactics and what many observers have described as “dark arts.” The win, secured by a Kylian Mbappe penalty, sets France up for a tie against Morocco.

Por que importa

Paraguay, who had earned neutrals’ support by eliminating Germany, adopted a highly physical approach in the punishing Philadelphia heat. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart described Paraguay’s players as an “absolute disgrace” and suggested he would “be dragging them off the pitch” if they were on his team. The match saw numerous clashes, with Paraguay’s players frequently engaging in robust challenges that went unpunished by the officiating.

Despite the provocation, France maintained their composure, with Mbappe scoring his seventh goal of the tournament to draw level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. The penalty was awarded after a review of an incident involving Desire Doue. Even after the spot-kick was given, Paraguayan players attempted to delay the kick, with Gustavo Velazquez trying to scuff up the penalty spot.

Contexto

“Paraguay’s players were an absolute disgrace,” Joe Hart told BBC One. “If they were on my team, I’d be dragging them off the pitch.”

France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, “I asked the two biggest lads to go and stand around Kylian at the end because they were going to chop him down. It wasn’t easy. They use every trick in the book. It’s not the kind of football that will bring people to the stadium, but they defended well.”

The physical nature of the game was evident from the outset. While French players Manu Kone, Bradley Barcola, and Michael Olise received yellow cards, no Paraguayan player was booked during the 90 minutes. This lack of disciplinary action for tackles on players like Adrien Rabiot and Kylian Mbappe, as well as an elbow from Gabriel Avalos on Dayot Upamecano, drew widespread criticism.

“It was embarrassing to see,” commented former England defender Micah Richards. “Paraguay are better than that. Defensively they were so good and they didn’t need to get into these antics.”

Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored 19 World Cup goals in 19 games, demonstrated his class by converting the crucial penalty. His performance in the face of persistent targeting was praised by Joe Hart. “I love how Mbappe has behaved in this game,” Hart said. “The Paraguay players have come for him from minute one. When he was laughing at the players, he is allowed to be arrogant.”

The extreme heat also played a significant factor, with temperatures recorded at 38.3C. However, France adapted to the conditions and Paraguay’s disruptive tactics. Mbappe himself commented, “We know how to play ugly football. They thought we’d show up in tuxedos, but we were ready. Even at that game, we were better than them.”

France’s defensive solidity was also highlighted, with William Saliba noting that the team had prepared for Paraguay’s aggressive style. “They were going to come at us hard, commit fouls, and try to provoke us,” Saliba stated. “We had to stay in the game… Today, it was a 1-0 win, but it’s just as valuable.”

The match underscored France’s ability to adapt and win in different circumstances, moving beyond their usual attacking flair to secure a vital result.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Match | France vs Paraguay |
| Result | France won 1-0 |
| Goalscorer | Kylian Mbappe (penalty) |
| Next Opponent | Morocco |
| Notable Tactics | Aggressive physicality, ‘dark arts’ |

This victory demonstrates France’s resilience and adaptability in a high-stakes tournament, showcasing their capacity to overcome not only skilled opponents but also challenging playing styles and conditions.

Source: BBC Sport Football – France survive Paraguay’s ‘disgraceful’ and ’embarrassing’ dark arts – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn4dpd11v1eo

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