Sport: Soccer Country: France Category: Playoffs

Controversial hit on Mbappé sparks debate in France-Paraguay match

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 4, 2026, 10:02 PM

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

Controversial hit on Mbappé sparks debate in France-Paraguay match

Summary

In the World Cup round of 16, a controversial incident involving Kylian Mbappé has led to debate regarding refereeing decisions. Paraguay's Matías Galarza struck Mbappé during a buildup play, but the referee did not award a foul, nor did VAR intervene. Refereeing expert Patrick Ittrich criticized this decision, claiming it should have been considered violent conduct under the rules. The match is ongoing, and reactions from fans and analysts are surfacing as the situation develops.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Galarza struck Mbappé during a buildup play.
•The referee did not call a foul.
•VAR did not intervene on the situation.
•Refereeing expert Patrick Ittrich called for intervention.
•The match between France and Paraguay is still in progress.

Latest Updates

10:02 PMYahoo Sports — 📸 Hit on Mbappé: did Paraguay get away with one here?

What they're saying

"
Controversy in the World Cup round of 16 between Paraguay and France: Were the South Americans lucky in this situation? During France’s build-up play, Matías Galarza struck Kylian Mbappé, who then...
— Yahoo Sports

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