Ibrahimovic Critiques Paraguay's Physical Play vs France

Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacted to Paraguay's physical style of play during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against France, stating he would have received red cards if he had played under similar conditions. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay at Lincoln Financial Field, allowing them to advance to the quarter-finals against Morocco.

The decisive moment occurred in the 70th minute when a foul by a Paraguayan player led to a penalty awarded to France after a VAR review. Kylian Mbappe successfully converted the penalty.

Ibrahimovic praised the composure of the French captain and his teammates, noting their ability to remain calm under pressure despite the provocations from Paraguay. He acknowledged Paraguay's underdog status, highlighting their previous upset against Germany in the tournament.

Throughout the match, Paraguay adopted a defensive stance, maintaining only 24% possession, while their goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, made crucial saves to deny Mbappe multiple times.