Kylian Mbappé scored the winning penalty on July 4 to send France to the World Cup quarter-finals. The 2-1 victory over Paraguay was marked by controversy, with Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill accusing Mbappé of a 'disrespectful' act.
What happened?
The incident occurred after the final whistle, when Gill attempted to shake Mbappé's hand, but the French forward ignored him and continued celebrating.
Gill told reporters that he had tried to congratulate Mbappé, but the French player refused to shake his hand. The Paraguay goalkeeper said he had entered a heated moment, but had calmed down and wanted to show respect.
Why it matters for Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé's actions sparked a heated debate among pundits, with some defending his behavior and others criticizing him for being disrespectful. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart praised Mbappé's professionalism, saying he had behaved well in the face of aggressive challenges from Paraguay's players.
Hart said the Paraguay players had been a disgrace, and that he would never want to win a match in such a manner. He also criticized the referee for not booking any Paraguay players, despite several mistimed and aggressive challenges.
What comes next?
France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals, after the African team beat Canada 3-0. Mbappé will be looking to continue his good form, having scored the winning penalty against Paraguay.
The French forward said that his team had known what kind of match they were going to have, and that they had been prepared to get their hands dirty. He also praised Paraguay's tactics, saying they had been ugly but effective.
Mbappé's penalty was scored in the 70th minute, after Gustavo Velázquez had scuffed the penalty spot. The French player kept his cool, slotting the ball past Gill to send France to the quarter-finals.
The match was played in sweltering heat at the Philadelphia Stadium, with temperatures reaching over 30 degrees Celsius. Despite the conditions, both teams gave their all, with Paraguay pushing France hard until the end.
The result means that France will face Morocco on July 8, in a match that promises to be intense and exciting. Mbappé will be looking to continue his good form, and help his team reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Paraguay's players were left disappointed and frustrated, after a match that they felt they could have won. Gill said that his team had given their all, but had been unable to overcome the French team's superior quality.
The controversy surrounding Mbappé's actions will likely continue to be debated in the coming days, with some praising his confidence and others criticizing his behavior. One thing is certain, however: the French forward is a key player for his team, and will be looking to make a big impact in the quarter-finals.