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French World Cup superstar Kylian Mbappé was involved in a heated post-match incident with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill on Saturday.
Mbappé, who scored on a penalty in the 70th minute, was riling up the crowd at Philadelphia Stadium following France’s 1-0 victory in the Round of 16. As he yelled toward the crowd, he stepped in front of Gill who reached out 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 was going to shake Mbappé’s hand but lost his cool.
“I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn’t pay me any attention, I lost my temper,” Gill said.
It marked the end of a physical match between the two squads. Gill said he believed his teammates handled their plan of attack well.
Paraguay midfielder Andrés Cubas grabbed Mbappé in the offensive third, sparking a 35th minute showdown between the players. Later in the first half, Matias Galarza made contact with Mbappé off 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 scuffle during a World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Matt Slocum / AP)
Paraguay didn’t receive a yellow card for any of the fouls. France was the only team of the two to receive yellow cards during the match – all three.
“We knew what kind of match it was going to be,” Mbappé said. “We can also get our hands dirty. We know how to do it. We know how to play ugly football. Guess they were thinking we were going to show up in tuxedos, but we were ready. Even at that kind of game, we were better than them.”
France’s coach Didier Deschamps called out Paraguay’s physicality.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates France’s victory as Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill holds the ball after the final whistle of a World Cup round of 16 soccer match in Philadelphia, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Matt Slocum / AP)
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“They pull out 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.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
