Mbappé scores from the penalty spot to secure the win! France 1-0 Paraguay, this "dirty" tactic really needs Ma Ning to crack down on it

In a high-stakes Round of 16 clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, tournament favorites France narrowly defeated Paraguay 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face a tough challenge against Morocco. In this match, Mbappé once again proved to be the game-changer for his team, scoring from a penalty in the second half. Not only did his goal break the deadlock, but it also brought his total World Cup goals to 19, just one shy of Messi's record of 20. Meanwhile, with 7 goals in this tournament, he is tied with Messi at the top of the goal-scoring charts, making both players strong contenders for the Golden Boot.

However, behind this victory lies an ugly contest filled with controversy and dirty tricks. Facing a far weaker Paraguay side, France's star-studded attack struggled throughout the match. Aware that a straight fight was hopeless, Paraguay resorted to a relentless "foul tactic." Throughout the game, Paraguayan players repeatedly used elbows, kicks, and pulls. Particularly notable were Galarza's deliberate elbow on Mbappé in the 42nd minute and Diego Gómez's tackle on Doué in the penalty area in the second half, sparking strong protests from French players.

Surprisingly, despite Paraguay's constant dirty play and frequent off-the-ball fouls, the referee turned a blind eye on multiple occasions, not even calling fouls, let alone showing yellow cards. If not for VAR's decisive intervention in the 65th minute, which upgraded Doué's penalty award to a spot-kick, the match could have taken a very different turn. Fans joked after the game that Paraguay were "foul specialists," turning a match with no attacking prowess into a "technical foul" contest. Many believe that eliminating such a dirty team is exactly what fans want to see.

In response to this extreme "hatchet-man" tactic, many fans commented: This match was tailor-made for Ma Ning! If the "Card Master" Ma Ning—known for his strict and decisive card-wielding style—had been the referee, Paraguay would likely have had two or three players sent off by halftime. They wouldn't have dared to so brazenly use physical play to disrupt France's possession rhythm.

Although the match was hard to watch, Mbappé once again proved his superstar value with remarkable composure. Unfazed by opponents' psychological tricks—like stomping on the penalty spot—he calmly scored from the spot. This goal brought his tournament tally to 7, tying Messi, and also tied him with the combined World Cup goals of four French legends: Henry, Giroud, Zidane, and Benzema (all on 19 goals). France's squad depth also shone, as substitute Doué won the decisive penalty that sealed the victory.

The 1-0 scoreline may not be glamorous, but in knockout stages, the result always outweighs the process—especially against a dirty team like Paraguay. Avoiding injuries and advancing is what matters most. France stumbled through, but they successfully avoided a potential upset. Next, they face the wily Moroccan side. Against another defensively tough opponent, France will need not only Mbappé's moments of brilliance but also improved efficiency in breaking down packed defenses. After all, in the deep waters of the World Cup, relying solely on penalties and individual star power is not enough to lift the trophy—they need multiple scoring threats. One final remark: Paraguay isn't tough; they're just dirty. How I wish Ma Ning could officiate their matches in the future—it would definitely be entertaining.

Watch the World Cup on Migu Video!#WorldCupMyTake##InkTalkFootballWorldCupFinal#