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French World Cup superstar Kylian Mbappé was involved in a heated incident after the match with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill on Saturday.
Mbappé, who scored from a penalty in the 70th minute, was thrilling the crowd at the Philadelphia Stadium after France’s 1-0 victory in the round of 16. As he shouted at the crowd, he stepped in front of Gill, who extended his hand for a handshake and then threw the ball at him.
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France’s Kylian Mbappé (10) celebrates his team’s victory at the end of the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and France in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Martin Meissner/AP)
Gill said he wanted to shake Mbappé’s hand but lost his cool.
“I tried to shake his hand, but when he wasn’t paying attention to me, I lost my temper,” Gill said.
It marked the end of a physical battle between the two teams. Gill said he thought his teammates handled their attack scheme well.
Paraguay midfielder Andrés Cubas tackled Mbappé in the attacking third, sparking a 35th-minute clash between the players. Later in the first half, Matias Galarza made contact with Mbappé from the ball. Juan José Cáceras kicked Mbappé in the right shin in the 77th minute.
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France’s Kylian Mbappe, left, and Paraguay’s Juan Jose Caceres argue during a World Cup Round of 16 match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)
Paraguay did not receive a yellow card for either offence. France were the only team of the two to receive yellow cards during the match – all three.
“We knew what kind of game it would be,” Mbappé said. “We can get our hands dirty, too. We know how to do that. We know how to play dirty football. I guess they thought we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready. Even at those kinds of games, we were better than them.”
France coach Didier Deschamps highlighted Paraguay’s physicality.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates France’s win as Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill holds the ball after the final whistle of a World Cup Round of 16 match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)
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“They pull every trick in the book,” he said. “It’s not the kind of football that draws people to the stadium. Each team played the way they want. But there were insults from the other bench that I could do without.”
