France captain Kylian Mbappe has accused Paraguay of trying to intimidate his teammates during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 encounter, insisting Les Bleus were prepared to respond with the same level of aggression.

The European giants booked their place in the quarter-finals after edging Paraguay 1-0 in a fiercely contested match in Philadelphia.

The result also marked France’s fifth straight victory at the tournament as they continued their pursuit of another World Cup title.

Paraguay entered the contest with plenty of confidence after eliminating Germany in the previous round, and they made life difficult for Didier Deschamps’ side with a physical approach from the opening whistle.

Despite the intense challenges, Mbappe said France refused to be intimidated and matched their opponents’ aggression whenever necessary.

He explained that his team was not only capable of playing attractive football but also ready to battle when matches became physical.

According to the French captain, Paraguay appeared to expect Les Bleus to focus solely on stylish football, but France proved they could compete in every aspect of the game.

He added that his teammates remained united throughout the contest and eventually earned the decisive breakthrough in the second half.

Mbappe also suggested that France were mentally stronger than their opponents, maintaining their composure despite the physical exchanges on the pitch.

The narrow victory secured France a place in the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most anticipated fixtures. With momentum firmly on their side, Les Bleus will be hoping to continue their impressive run toward the championship.