Paraguay Draws 'Disgrace' Label in France's 1-0 Win as Salah Earns Praise After Shootout
Updated
Updated · ABC News · Jul 5
Paraguay Draws 'Disgrace' Label in France's 1-0 Win as Salah Earns Praise After Shootout
3 articles · Updated · ABC News · Jul 5
Summary
France needed a VAR-awarded penalty from Kylian Mbappé to beat Paraguay 1-0, but the bigger talking point was Paraguay's conduct in a fractious last-16 match in Philadelphia.
76% possession and 568 passes underlined France's control, yet Paraguay repeatedly disrupted play — including Gustavo Velázquez scuffing the penalty spot — and still avoided a single booking despite multiple flashpoints.
Joe Hart called Paraguay "an absolute disgrace," while criticism also fell on referee Ilgiz Tantashev after France received all three yellow cards in a game Deschamps had already condemned for "cheap shots."
Elsewhere, Morocco beat Canada 3-0 despite Jesse Marsch insisting his side were the better team, with goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau twice joining late attacks in a failed bid to save Canada's campaign.
Egypt's shootout win over Australia produced the day's contrasting image when Mo Salah first consoled Socceroos players before joining celebrations, drawing praise for sportsmanship.