"Justice has won"? Paraguay's 'zero card' controversy sparks debate after France match

Controversy erupted after Paraguay avoided any yellow cards in their match against France, despite what was described as a "foul-tempered" game. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2026 North, Central American and Caribbean World Cup qualifiers.

The match, held at Philadelphia Stadium, saw France's multi-goal scoring streak come to an end. The lack of disciplinary action against Paraguay, particularly given the game's intensity, has drawn significant criticism and debate, with questions raised about the officiating. Reports indicate the referee is of Uzbek origin.

Despite the win, France's offensive momentum was curtailed. The focus of the post-match discussion has largely shifted from the result to the officiating and Paraguay's clean disciplinary record throughout a reportedly rough encounter. The outcome means France moves on in the tournament, but the manner of the game has left many observers questioning the fairness of the decisions made on the field.