2026 World Cup: the incident between Juan Cáseres and Kylian Mbappé during France-Paraguay
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
During the France-Paraguay clash in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Dynamo Moscow defender Juan Cáseres dealt a blow with his studs to Kylian Mbappé on the ground. This gesture caught the attention of fans and commentators.
During the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is currently taking place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, United States), an incident marked the meeting between France and Paraguay. Juan Cáseres, Dynamo Moscow defender and Paraguayan international, violently hit Kylian Mbappé on the leg while the Frenchman was on the ground.
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The main referee, Ilgiz Tantashev, originally from Uzbekistan, officiating the match, did not transform this act into a major sanction at the time. In the 78th minute, after a foul by Mbappé on Cáseres in the opposing camp, the Paraguayan defender reacted by kicking the leg of the French player, lying on the pitch, with his studs.
At the time of this report, France leads 1-0. The winner of this confrontation will face Morocco in the quarter-finals of the competition. Cáseres' gesture provokes intense debate among supporters and pundits, highlighting the extreme tension that reigns in this knockout match.