Turin, 5 July (LaPresse) – “Today was a different kind of challenge for them. It was mainly about not letting themselves be provoked, staying calm and composed, not losing their balance and not falling into the trap that Paraguay were trying to set.” This was Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s analysis speaking to Fox Sports following France’s 1–0 victory over Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16, in a very tense match featuring several fouls. “I would have picked up four red cards in this match,” admitted the former Swedish striker, “but that’s how it is; I like playing… I like playing proper football. I don’t like it when someone tries to provoke me, but that’s part of it – and yet it isn’t part of the game.” France, however, “showed composure, stayed relaxed and did what they had to do,” he concluded. “They smiled, and that’s the best way to react: smile, score, win the match, and go and celebrate with your fans. That’s the best way to react.”
2026 World Cup, Ibrahimovic: “France did well to stay calm; I would have picked up four red cards”
Turin, 5 July (LaPresse) – “Today was a different kind of challenge for them. It was mainly about not letting themselves be provoked, staying calm and composed, not losing their balance and not falling into the trap that Paraguay were trying to set.” This was Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s analysis speaking to Fox Sports following France’s 1–0 victory over Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16, in a very tense match featuring several fouls. “I would have picked up four red cards in this match,” admitted the former Swedish striker, “but that’s how it is; I like playing… I like playing proper football. I don’t like it when someone tries to provoke me, but that’s part of it – and yet it isn’t part of the game.” France, however, “showed composure, stayed relaxed and did what they had to do,” he concluded. “They smiled, and that’s the best way to react: smile, score, win the match, and go and celebrate with your fans. That’s the best way to react.”
