France Protests Missed Foul on Mbappe in World Cup Round of 16 Match Against Paraguay

During the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between France and Paraguay, played under intense heat, the South American team employed a notably physical style to challenge the French squad. Central to the controversy was a foul by Matias Galarza of River Plate against France's star Kylian Mbappe. In the 39th minute, Galarza struck Mbappe's arm with his hand off the ball, an action that went unpunished by the referee. This incident sparked outrage in France, with FootMercato describing the foul as "malicious" and criticizing the referee's inaction.

Spanish journalist Jose Luis Sanchez condemned the refereeing, accusing Paraguay of gaining an unfair advantage through cunning aggression and noting a perceived bias, stating, "If it had been Messi, Galarza would certainly have been sent off, but this is Mbappe." The criticism extended to English media as well, with the BBC reporting Mbappe's frustration over not receiving a free kick despite multiple fouls against him during the game. The incident has fueled debate about officiating standards in the tournament and the treatment of key players.