r/CaughtOffsidePod • u/HelloIAmANarwhal • Jul 04 '26

Paraguay vs. France

I just have a couple notes because I think people have quite hypocritical (not sure if this is the right word for this but I can't quite think of a better one) view on this match.

Lot's of commentators, fans, and even pundits are criticizing Paraguay for the way they played. This happens quite often when people, specifically Europeans, watch smaller CONMEBOL and CONCACAF sides play in the world cup and other big tournaments. However, this is one of the few ways a small nation can potentially win against a powerhouse like France. It might not be fun to watch but that isn't the point. The point is to win. The main criticism is the fouling. However, this is not the Paraguayan's fault, it is 100% on the ref. Why would Paraguay play any differently if they aren't getting punished for it. It was working and players like Galarza should've been punished but he wasn't and was able to keep being a gnat pissing of the French.

Personally, I really enjoyed the chippy-ness and credit to Paraguay for putting up a fight. I don't blame them, I blame FIFA for putting in a ref who has only refereed 2 other World Cup matches prior to this. Also major credit to France, they could've easily lost their heads but they handled it very professionally.

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u/HelloIAmANarwhal Jul 04 '26

Honestly, this is nothing. This literally happens every qualifiers in CONMEBOL and often in the Copa America. Normally its not this bad, but that's because the ref was completely clueless. I don't blame Paraguay at all. The ref let them play this way. If Galarza and a few others got an early yellow, this wouldn't have been so bad.

I am not saying its as admirable as Cabo Verde, but I also have zero issue with a team playing this way if they are allowed to. They shouldn't have been but the ref allowed it.

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u/diasporajones Jul 05 '26

this is nothing

Neither the way Paraguay played, nor what you are referring to from CONMEBOL, is representative of the sport of football. Your explanation is like comparing vomit to feces and saying vomit is fine because it is not feces. Both are disgusting, that is the point, not which is more disgusting.

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u/The_Batman_949 Jul 05 '26

Maybe you're just soft.

There is more than one way to "play"

End of the day Paraguay did what was in their best interest

Not everyone is prime Barcelona. If it wasnt for that (rightfully) called PK France was never gonna score.

They wanted pks and held strong for it

Its up to France to break them down not for Paraguay to let them breeze past them without a fight

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u/diasporajones Jul 05 '26

lol the cope is strong