World Cup: Mbappe Says France Can Play 'Dirty' If Needed Against Rough Tactics

Kylian Mbappe declared that the French team is prepared to engage in "dirty football" if opponents resort to overly physical tactics. Paraguay employed aggressive marking and controversial plays against Mbappe throughout the match, drawing frustration from the French side. Mbappe himself was knocked down by an alleged elbow in the first half, and later faced a studs-up challenge after a fall, yet Paraguayan players received no yellow cards.

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They thought we would only come out in tuxedos and play pretty football, but we also know how to play dirty football, even better.

"They thought we would only come out in tuxedos and play pretty football, but we also know how to play dirty football, even better," Mbappe told reporters. He accused the opponents of trying to disrupt their game, but asserted that France ultimately disrupted them instead. The French forward felt the referee's decisions were inconsistent, contributing to the match's tension.

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That's their style of play. Everyone uses the resources they have to play. There's no right or wrong way to play football, only one way: to win.

Mbappe also noted that Paraguayan players surrounded him before his penalty kick and repeatedly interrupted the game's rhythm in the final stages. "That's their style of play. Everyone uses the resources they have to play. There's no right or wrong way to play football, only one way: to win," he stated. He added that while they tried to use such tactics against France, France responded in kind. The match highlighted a physical approach from Paraguay, met with a determined response from the French team.

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They tried to use such tactics against us, but we responded in kind.