Mbappé Furious as Paraguay Breaks 1998 Booking Record in Physical World Cup Exit
Paraguay bowed out of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 against France without picking up a single yellow card. Their disciplined performance matched a feat last achieved in their 1998 clash with Nigeria, but wasn’t enough to avoid a 1-0 defeat to Kylian Mbappé’s penalty at Philadelphia Stadium. France’s players voiced frustration after the match, with Mbappé and Rayan Cherki accusing Paraguay of persistent fouling that went unpunished. Despite France receiving three yellow cards, the South Americans completed the game without a booking. The last time Paraguay navigated a World Cup match without a caution was during their 3-1 win over Nigeria in Toulouse 1998. Goals from Celso Ayala, Miguel Ángel Benítez and José Cardozo sealed that victory against a Super Eagles side already assured of progressing from Group D. France now turn their focus to a quarter-final showdown with Morocco in Boston.
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