France edge past Paraguay in World Cup quarter-final; Koné reflects on physical contest
Match Report·5 July 2026·46d ago

France edge past Paraguay in World Cup quarter-final; Koné reflects on physical contest

Source: Forza Roma

France advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay, secured by a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé. The South American side proved a tough and physical opponent, but France maintained composure and achieved their objective. Midfielder Manu Koné was among those praised for his performance in a demanding match.

Koné, who currently plays for AS Roma, delivered a composed display in midfield against Paraguay's aggressive approach. He spoke about the nature of the contest after the match, noting the physicality on display and the tactical awareness required to navigate it without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation. The midfielder highlighted France's preparation and intelligence in handling the situation.

In his post-match comments to beIN Sports, Koné reflected: "It was a very hard match, but we are happy. Today we adapted. They were a rather... physical team! We choose our words carefully (smiles). We managed to stand up to our opponents in the challenges, we won 1–0, we were effective. There were some excessive interventions, but we didn't fall into their trap. The coach had warned us during the week. We were intelligent, we just wanted to win." France's disciplined approach proved decisive in securing progression to the next stage.

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Story Coverage2 sources on this story

AS Roma midfielder Manu Koné featured in France's World Cup quarter-final victory over Paraguay, which Forza Roma reports ended 1–0 with a penalty conversion by Kylian Mbappé. Both outlets emphasize the match's physical intensity and Paraguay's aggressive approach. Koné delivered a composed midfield performance and spoke to beIN Sports about France's tactical discipline. He highlighted how the team resisted Paraguay's provocations without being drawn into unnecessary confrontation, crediting pre-match preparation from the coaching staff. "We were intelligent, we just wanted to win," Koné reflected, noting France's effectiveness despite the challenges. Roma News similarly underscores the defensive organization and mental resilience required in high-level tournament football. Koné's involvement demonstrates Roma's continued representation at international football's elite level during this international window.

AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.

Testo Originale / Source Text

“La squadra di Deschamps si è qualificata vincendo di misura contro i sudamericani grazie a un rigore di Mbappé: nel postpartita i commenti sul tipo di partita condotta dalla squadra di Alfaro Redazione 5 luglio - 11:13 Svilar, voglia di Roma e Champions: il duro allenamento in vista del ritiro…”

Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.

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