On July 5, Paraguay's World Cup campaign ended in a narrow defeat against France in the last 16 round, marking their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Despite losing, the South American team impressed with their defensive discipline and tactical resilience, notably defeating Germany in a penalty shootout. Their strategy involved ceding possession and maintaining a compact formation, which frustrated higher-ranked opponents like France. The match saw Paraguay limit clear-cut chances despite France controlling over 75% of possession, until Kylian Mbappé's penalty, awarded via VAR, decided the outcome. Paraguay's tactics included physical challenges and controversial gamesmanship, such as scuffing the penalty spot, which drew criticism from former players and officials.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports event and does not engage with politically charged topics such as government policies, elections, or social issues. It provides a factual account of the match and Paraguay's strategies without taking a partisan stance.
