Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the French national football team, tried to remain calm after the 'Roosters' survived a controversial Round of 16 match in the 2026 World Cup against Paraguay, winning 1-0 on Sunday morning. Deschamps said after the match: 'I saw many things, I prepared the players for it, and they expected this type of match. I don't want to criticize Paraguay. Every team plays the way they want. But there were some insults from the opponent's bench, and we didn't need them. The most important thing is that at the end of the match there were no fights and we didn't get any more cards. We received three yellow cards despite many fouls. I'm not saying we didn't commit fouls, but there were many from both teams.' Manu Koné, Bradley Barcola, and Michael Olise received warnings. In contrast, Kylian Mbappé, who scored France's goal, managed to avoid a card after constant provocations from Paraguay's players. When asked if this reflected greater maturity on the part of France's captain, Deschamps confirmed that Mbappé always behaves maturely with the national team, adding: 'Many media outlets have talked about his development. I don't want to contradict myself, but the image some people have of Kylian is far from reality. I don't want to lie. I said from day one that he has this spirit. He made all the required physical efforts. An exceptional player on the field. And when he speaks, he speaks on behalf of the entire group.' The possibility of France being eliminated from the tournament remained alive until the 70th minute, when Mbappé scored a penalty kick, which would have ended Deschamps' coaching career that spanned 14 years with the 'Roosters'. But the coach did not concern himself with that possibility, adding: 'To be clear, I would never think about that. The only feeling I have is to do everything in my power to make the team work in the best possible way. The last match could have been four years ago or eight years ago; it could have been said to me that you're going home. That's football. I have a positive philosophy, and with my technical staff we will do everything we can to win, but we know that's the game. Sometimes you lose, but if you give your all, you remain with a clear conscience.' The French team will face Morocco in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Thursday evening.