Zlatan Ibrahimovic pinpoints Paraguay's failed 'trick' vs France that he would have fallen for

Zlatan Ibrahimovic perfectly picked apart Paraguay's game plan in their 1-0 World Cup last 16 defeat to France - and explained how he would have dealt with it as a French player.

Didier Deschamps' side made it through to the World Cup quarter-finals through Kylian Mbappe's 70th-minute penalty in Philadelphia.

Paraguay players had attempted to scuff the penalty spot in the moments before Mbappe's attempt - one of several acts of the dark arts during the match.

The South American side repeatedly targeted France players, particularly Mbappe, throughout the total of 98 minutes, and committed 13 fouls.

France's attitude towards that provocation, though, remained largely composed, and Mbappe simply burst out laughing during second half stoppage time when approached by several Paraguay defenders.

Manager Didier Deschamps said he issued an instruction to 'the two biggest lads' in his squad to 'go and stand around Kylian at the end' to avoid any further altercation.

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Aside from the physicality, though, Paraguay - perhaps as would be expected - did not possess a significant threat in front of goal, having a total of just five shots in the match.

And speaking on FOX Sports, Sweden legend Ibrahimovic said what he would have done to the Paraguay players had he been playing - and dissected how the French players dealt with them.

"It was a different challenge for them today," he said. "It was more about not being provocated, to stay composed, stay calm, don't lose your balance. And don't fall for the tricks that they were doing."

"It is. It is," he replied, when asked if playing in those types of matches is hard. "I would get four red cards in this game! And maybe send somebody to... but yes, it is what it is.

"I like to play the real game. I don't like somebody trying to provocate. But it's part of the game, and it's not part of the game.

"France, they showed calm, they were relaxed. They did what they needed to do. They gave them a smile. That's the best way to respond - smile, score goals, win the game, go with your fans now and celebrate. That's the best way to respond."

Zlatan speaks on the composed performance France displayed against Paraguay 🇫🇷@Ibra_official pic.twitter.com/LEidzSGePh

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026

'We know how to s**thouse too' - Mbappe on Paraguay win

Mbappe was put up for media duty with FIFA at the full-time whistle in Philadelphia, and spoke of how proud he was with how France dealt with what they were faced with over the 98 minutes.

"We knew what kind of match it would be," he said. "It's great, the game we got, and how we played it. We show that we're not just only a team who can play an offensive-minded football.

"If we had to play dirty, we can play dirty. It doesn't bother us. They thought we would show up in tuxedos, doing great plays and one-two passes. We know how to s**thouse too.

"We did it today, we won, and even in that sector, we were better than them."

France will now take on 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in the last eight, after the one of two African nations left in the tournament - the other being Egypt - defeated co-hosts Canada 3-0 earlier on Saturday.