Deschamps: 'I won't criticize Paraguay; every team plays as it wants'

France secured their place in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16. The win, however, was not without its frustrations, as French coach Didier Deschamps commented on the defensive tactics employed by the Paraguayan team.

Deschamps stated he would not criticize Paraguay's style of play, acknowledging that each team has its own approach. "Each team plays as it wants," he remarked. However, he did express disappointment with some of the insults directed at his players from the Paraguayan side during the match.

The decisive goal came in the second half from a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. Deschamps admitted that his team could have performed better but also gave credit to Paraguay for their resilience. He noted that Paraguay had previously eliminated Germany, a team with significant offensive capabilities, highlighting the challenge they presented.

"It was a match where you had to get into the mud," Deschamps said, describing the gritty nature of the game. He indicated that his team had prepared for such a scenario, understanding that a close match was likely, especially with the scoreline remaining level for a significant portion of the game.