Philadelphia: Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his players for their courage and resilience after they were knocked out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a narrow 1-0 defeat to France at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. The decisive moment came in the second half when Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review, ending Paraguay’s spirited run in the tournament.

Despite the heartbreak, Alfaro insisted his team had competed at the highest level and made life extremely difficult for one of the tournament favourites. He said the players had “fought like lions”, a phrase that quickly captured attention after the match as Paraguay bowed out in the Round of 16.

Mbappe penalty decides tight contest

The match was a tense and physical affair from the opening whistle, with Paraguay adopting a compact defensive structure aimed at frustrating France’s attacking rhythm. Didier Deschamps’ side enjoyed long spells of possession but struggled to break through Paraguay’s disciplined backline.

France created half-chances in the first half but were repeatedly met by strong tackles and organised defending. Paraguay, meanwhile, looked to counterattack whenever possible, trying to exploit spaces left behind by the French full-backs.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 70th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR intervention confirmed a foul inside the box. Mbappe stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty past the goalkeeper, scoring his seventh goal of the tournament and sealing a place in the quarter-finals for France.

Alfaro proud despite elimination

After the match, Gustavo Alfaro expressed pride in his squad’s effort and attitude, stressing that the result did not reflect the competitiveness of the game.

He said France had struggled to find solutions from open play and that the difference came from “a moment of individual quality and a penalty decision”, rather than sustained dominance. According to Alfaro, Paraguay had successfully disrupted France’s attacking flow for large portions of the match.

The coach highlighted the emotional journey of his team, noting that Paraguay had returned to the World Cup after a long absence and managed to reach the knockout stages through determination and discipline. He added that the players left everything on the pitch and deserved respect for their performance.

Inside the dressing room, reports suggested the squad was visibly emotional after the final whistle, aware that they had come close to taking the game into extra time.

France edge into quarter-finals

France’s victory ensured their progression into the quarter-finals, where they continue their push for another World Cup title. However, even within the French camp, there was acknowledgment that the match had been far tougher than expected.

Coach Didier Deschamps praised Paraguay’s intensity and competitive spirit, suggesting that his side had to remain patient and “find solutions in difficult moments”. The French players were forced into a physically demanding contest, with limited space and frequent stoppages breaking up their rhythm.

Mbappe once again proved decisive, continuing his strong scoring form in the tournament. His ability to convert under pressure ultimately separated the two teams in a match where clear chances were rare.

Paraguay reflect on historic campaign

While elimination brought disappointment, Paraguay’s overall campaign was viewed as a step forward for the national side. Returning to the World Cup after a long gap, they managed to reach the knockout stage and push a top-tier team to their limits.

Alfaro emphasised that the experience gained from the tournament would be invaluable for the future. He expressed hope that the performance would inspire younger players and strengthen the country’s footballing foundation going forward.

He also acknowledged that while results matter, the identity and fighting spirit shown by his team were equally important. Paraguay’s disciplined structure, resilience under pressure, and ability to stay competitive against elite opposition were repeatedly highlighted throughout their World Cup journey.

As they exit the tournament, Paraguay leave behind a reputation for being one of the most difficult teams to break down, even for the world’s best attackers.