Kylian Mbappe praised after World Cup win over Paraguay

France advanced to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup when Kylian Mbappe scored the decisive 1‑0 goal against Paraguay in the round‑of‑16. The match was marked by rough play from the South American side, which received only a single yellow card while France was cautioned three times. After the victory Mbappe said, “That is their way of playing football. If we have to get our hands dirty, we do it, but we were better,” showing a calm and conciliatory tone.

German coach Christian Streich, speaking on ZDF, praised Mbappe not only for his on‑field performance but also for his political stance and how he handles criticism and racism. Streich said, “I especially admire how he presents himself, how he stands up and shows a clear edge – it is outstanding.” The remarks followed a recent incident in which a Paraguayan senator publicly insulted Mbappe, to which the player responded by calling the senator “despicable”. The German coach’s comments highlighted Mbappe’s broader influence beyond sport.