PRACTICAL APPROACH OF THE FRENCH STYLE
According to football expert Doan Minh Xuong, only mental fortitude will help the French team overcome Paraguay's extremely disruptive playing style.
"From the start of the match, the Paraguay team proactively played rough, using dirty tactics against the French players and not hesitating to commit fouls from a distance. Ugly play is part of football, especially for underdog teams aiming to intimidate their opponents. With this same style of play, the Paraguay team successfully overcame Germany in the round of 32. They were even more cunning when facing France," Mr. Doan Minh Xuong commented.
"The great thing about the French team is their quick adaptation to the opponent's playing style. A prime example is the way striker Mbappe handled things. When fouled and provoked by the opponent, Mbappe responded with a bright smile. When preparing for the penalty kick in the 70th minute, the Paraguayan players used various tactics to create psychological pressure. All of this only made the star more determined and he proved his mettle by successfully converting the penalty kick, bringing victory to the French team. Many people think that the French team usually plays beautiful, free-flowing attacking football. But against Paraguay, we witnessed Les Bleus being ready to be pragmatic to achieve their goals," analyzed Mr. Doan Minh Xuong.
Mbappe (right) and the French national team secured a spirited victory against Paraguay.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Coach Didier Deschamps' shrewd decision to bring Desire Doue on in the second half paid off for the French team. He earned a penalty in the 70th minute, which Mbappe converted to score his seventh goal at the 2026 World Cup, equaling Messi's (Argentina) lead in the race for the Golden Boot. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said that opponents thought the French team only knew how to play beautiful football, but: "When necessary, we can still play with intensity and determination. They tried to make us lose our composure, but it was we who made them surrender."
The aftermath of the match continued with criticism of the referee for the Paraguay team committing numerous fouls but receiving no yellow cards, while the French team received three.
Impressions of Morocco
After defeating Paraguay, the French team will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on July 10th. In the round of 16, the Moroccan team impressively beat Canada 3-0. All three goals for the North African team against Canada were scored in the second half, with a brace from Ounahi (50th and 82nd minutes) and Rahimi (90+8th minute).
Expert Doan Minh Xuong commented: "The Moroccan team truly deserves to be considered an outstanding representative of African football. The Atlas Lions are always full of energy, seamlessly transitioning between attack and defense based on their excellent physical condition. They are particularly dangerous in quick, sharp combinations between captain Hakimi, Ounahi, and Saibari, creating significant pressure on the opponent's defense. The Moroccan team will pose a challenge for France when they meet in the quarter-finals."
Meanwhile, co-hosts Canada put up a valiant fight against Morocco, but their squad quality was no match for their opponents, leading to their elimination. Reaching the top 16 at the World Cup is an unexpected success for the Canadian team, one of the three host nations of the 2026 World Cup.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ban-linh-les-bleus-185260705202036027.htm
