Gustavo Caballero on France: 'We respect them like all rivals'

Paraguayan forward Gustavo Caballero declared that his team respects but does not fear France ahead of their crucial World Cup Round of 16 clash. Caballero emphasized the squad's confidence, stating, "We respect the rival we have in front of us, and we are going to work to see how we can counter their attack." He described the upcoming match as the most important for the country since the 2010 World Cup, underscoring the historical significance of their current tournament run. The team feels well-prepared physically, with Caballero noting the potential advantage of playing in extreme heat, hoping it benefits Paraguay. "We have our own strengths, so we are going to go out and look for it, also look for the result that can give us one more step, also make history," he added, reflecting the team's ambition to advance. Coach Gustavo Alfaro's tactical plans are being kept under wraps, but Caballero indicated a focus on finding spaces, similar to their previous match against Germany. The entire nation is reportedly behind the team, fueling their determination to achieve a historic result against the tournament favorites.