France reached the World Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Paraguay in Philadelphia, but the match ended in anger after Kylian Mbappe refused to shake hands with goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Gill later threw a ball at Mbappe’s back and said he “lost my temper” after the France captain ignored him.
Mbappe scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after Diego Gomez fouled Desire Doue in the area. Referee Ilgiz Tantashev first let play continue, but changed his decision after a video review.
The goal sent France through to a quarter-final against Morocco in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Thursday. Morocco had earlier beaten Canada 3-0 in Houston.
France had entered the match as favourites, but Paraguay turned the last-16 tie into a contest built on contact, delays and provocation. The South American side defended in numbers and tried to stop France from finding rhythm in the heat.
The temperature at kick-off reached about 38°C, making conditions hard for both teams. France controlled much of the ball in the first half but struggled to create clear chances. Paraguay offered little in attack but kept the score level until midway through the second half.
Doue’s introduction changed the game. He attacked from the left and drove into the area before Gomez brought him down. After the penalty award, Paraguay players surrounded the referee and tried to delay the kick, and Gustavo Velazquez attempted to damage the penalty spot before Mbappe stepped up.
Mbappe sent Gill the wrong way and scored his seventh goal of the tournament.
The match became tense before and after the goal. BBC Sport reported that Andres Cubas avoided a booking after a challenge on Adrien Rabiot, Juan Jose Caceres kicked out at Mbappe, and Gabriel Avalos caught Dayot Upamecano with an elbow. Paraguay finished the match without a yellow card, while France received three.
France coach Didier Deschamps said Paraguay’s bench also crossed a line. “There were some insults from the other bench we could have done without,” he said in his news conference.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro denied claims that members of his staff had referred to the recent death of Deschamps’ mother. “No, no, no. You cannot sink that low. I have not heard anything like that. I know my coaching staff. If I had heard it, I would have intervened,” Alfaro said.
Mbappe said France had expected a physical match. “We knew what kind of match we were going to have,” he said, according to ESPN. “We can also get our hands dirty, we know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready.”
The tension carried on after the final whistle. Players gathered near the centre circle, while Gill tried to shake Mbappe’s hand. Mbappe walked past him. Gill then threw the ball at Mbappe’s back.
Gill had kept Paraguay in the match late on with a double save from Mbappe in stoppage time, but Paraguay failed to produce a clear response at the other end.
The result keeps France on course for another deep World Cup run. It also sets up a quarter-final against Morocco, who reached the last eight with a clear win over Canada.
HT