Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his players’ fighting spirit despite their heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to France in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, insisting his side matched one of the tournament favourites for much of the contest.
Les Bleus eventually progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to Kylian Mbappé’s 70th-minute penalty, awarded following a VAR review after substitute Désiré Doué was brought down inside the penalty area.
While France advanced to face Morocco in the last eight, Alfaro believes the result was decided by individual brilliance rather than overall superiority.
Speaking after the match at Lincoln Financial Field, Alfaro felt his disciplined side frustrated Didier Deschamps’ star-studded squad for long periods.
“France couldn’t find the answers, and it took a bit of individual skill and a penalty given by VAR to make the difference which their football had not been able to do,” Alfaro said.
Paraguay’s compact defensive setup repeatedly disrupted France’s attacking rhythm, forcing Mbappé and his teammates to remain patient before eventually finding the breakthrough.
Paraguay’s physical approach drew visible frustration from the French camp during the match.
Mbappé was involved in several heated exchanges, while France head coach Didier Deschamps accused Paraguay’s players of directing verbal insults toward his squad.
Alfaro, however, defended his team’s commitment and determination.
“We fought like lions out on the pitch.”
The experienced Argentine coach also highlighted the contrasting World Cup journeys between his squad and France’s superstar captain.
“It took us 16 years to get back to a World Cup, while Mbappé won the World Cup the first time he played in it, reached the final in his second, and now is fighting to be the tournament’s top scorer.”
Paraguay were making their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals—the nation’s best-ever finish.
Alfaro admitted emotions ran high after the final whistle, revealing his players were devastated in the dressing room.
“We worked so hard to get a different result, but I will leave here with the knowledge that we came to compete, and we did compete.”
“I have no doubt that this World Cup has made us all better, although I am sad to go out because I hoped we might go further.”
Although Paraguay’s World Cup journey ended in Philadelphia, their disciplined performances throughout the tournament have restored belief within the national team after a 16-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
Alfaro’s side pushed one of the tournament favourites to the limit and departed with their reputation enhanced, despite narrowly missing out on a place in the quarter-finals.
For France, Mbappé’s decisive penalty kept their World Cup dream alive. For Paraguay, the defeat marked the end of an encouraging campaign that could provide the foundation for future success on the international stage.
