BBC pundit and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has launched a scathing attack on Paraguay following France's feisty World Cup victory. Les Bleus secured a narrow 1-0 win in Philadelphia to book their place in the quarter-finals, with a second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappe proving decisive.
Hart's condemnation
Hart, working as a pundit for the BBC, branded Paraguay's performance an 'absolute disgrace'. 'I'd take my teammates off the field if they played like that,' he said. 'I'd never want to win a soccer match playing that way.'
Throughout the contest, Paraguay left a number of heavy challenges on French players, including captain Mbappe. Hart questioned an off-the-ball clash involving Mbappe that 'could easily have been a red card'. He was also angered by Paraguay's antics after the penalty was awarded, with several players attempting to scuff up the spot from which Mbappe converted.
Ibrahimovic echoes criticism
Former Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, working as a pundit on Fox TV in America, echoed Hart's sentiments. 'If I had played that match, I would have received four or five red cards and I would have sent someone to the hospital,' Ibrahimovic said. 'I don't like that, even if provocation is part of the game. France didn't let it get to them. The best way to react when you're provoked is to smile and not fall into the trap, like France did.'
Post-match controversy
After the final whistle, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill claimed Mbappe ignored his attempt to shake hands. 'Kylian Mbappe has pissed me off,' said Gill, who won the man of the match award. 'I stretched my hand to congratulate him, but he ignored me.'
Responding to Gill's claim and the treatment he received throughout the match, Mbappe said: 'If we have to get our hands dirty, we will do it. They thought we'd show up in tuxedos to play, but we know how to play dirty football too. We've shown we're not just a team that knows how to play attacking football.'
