Mbappé Angered by Paraguay's 'Dirty' Soccer Tactics, Refuses Handshake

Kylian Mbappé, the star forward for Real Madrid, reportedly showed significant frustration with Paraguay's rough tactics during a recent World Cup qualifying match. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay, with Mbappé scoring the decisive goal from a penalty kick in the 70th minute, propelling France into the quarterfinals.

The match, held in Philadelphia, was played under extreme heat, with temperatures nearing 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Throughout the game, Paraguay adopted a highly physical approach, engaging in numerous hard tackles and close marking, which appeared to agitate the French team, particularly Mbappé.

According to reports, Mbappé's anger was evident when he refused to shake hands with the opposing goalkeeper after the match. His reported retort, "We also know how to fight dirty," suggests a strong reaction to Paraguay's perceived unsportsmanlike conduct and a readiness to match their intensity if necessary.

This aggressive style from Paraguay has been noted in previous matches, often characterized by intense physical duels. While such tactics can be effective in disrupting opponents' rhythm, they also risk drawing fouls and potentially leading to confrontations, as seemingly happened with Mbappé.

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We also know how to fight dirty.