The round of 16 between France and Paraguay continues to be talked about. Beyond the qualification of the Blues (1-0), the meeting was marked by a very high physical intensity, the numerous rough contacts of the Paraguayans and the relative permissiveness of the referee. Several game scenes have sparked strong reactions and the controversy has still not subsided.
A favorite target of the Paraguayan defenders, Kylian Mbappé was subjected to particularly muscular marking throughout the match, without ever getting out of control. Among his main opponents, Juan José Caceres distinguished himself with a succession of very strong interventions, seeking to thwart the captain of the Blues.
“If I wanted to give him a kiss”
Questioned by the Argentinian media Agarrá La Palathe Dinamo Moscow defender recounted an exchange as unexpected as it was amusing with the top scorer in the history of the France team. “He asked me if I wanted to give him a kiss. I replied: ‘Well, since you suggested it…’”he said, smiling.
Relaunched on possible insults uttered by Mbappé, in particular towards his mother, Caceres brushed aside this hypothesis:
“No, I didn’t hear it,” he added. “Honestly, I don’t even know what he said. He ended up saying we played a dirty game and everything else… We did our job. We gave everything on the pitch. Every ball that came our way, we treated it like a final. We came out fighting — with our heads held high — exactly like (Gustavo) Alfaro (the coach) said we would. » Despite the defeat and elimination, the Paraguayans therefore fully assume their approach.
