Mbappé snubs handshake, sparks Paraguay keeper’s outburst

Kylian Mbappé’s refusal to shake hands with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who responded by throwing the ball back at the French captain, set the tone in the closing moments of France’s tense World Cup round‑of‑16 victory over Paraguay on Saturday night. Paraguay adopted a physical approach, committing fouls that constantly flirted with the red line. The match was overseen by referee Mr. Tantashev, whose decisions were closely scrutinised. These factors contributed to an extremely tense atmosphere throughout the encounter. Despite the pressure, Les Bleus kept their frustration in check. Their composure allowed them to navigate the challenges and secure the win.

French media lambaste Paraguay after gritty World Cup clash

After the final whistle, Mbappé deliberately ignored Gill’s attempt to congratulate him with a handshake. Gill reacted by throwing the ball at the French captain, a gesture that sparked immediate controversy. Gill later explained, “Kylian Mbappé annoyed me. I went over to him after the match to congratulate him, but he refused to shake my hand,” before adding he had cooled off. He concluded, “I have nothing but congratulations for them. France are having an excellent World Cup and they are contenders for the title.”

Kounde's composure steadies France as World Cup bid narrows

The remainder of Gill’s statement is available in the accompanying video. This article was translated into English by artificial intelligence, with the original French version linked. France’s victory propels them into the World Cup quarter‑finals. Their continued success keeps them among the tournament’s title favourites.