France secured a win against Paraguay in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match, but the game drew criticism for Paraguay’s overtly defensive and disruptive tactics. Analysts labeled the South American team’s approach as “anti-football,” noting a complete abandonment of attacking ambition. Paraguay primarily focused on physical challenges and persistent fouling, seemingly aimed at disrupting France's star players and slowing the game’s tempo. The strategy involved frequent time-wasting maneuvers, frustrating both the opposition and observers. Critics questioned the safety of such aggressive play, with some suggesting the tactics risked injury, particularly targeting Kylian Mbappé. France, however, resisted being drawn into a physical battle and ultimately prevailed despite the challenging conditions.