Paraguay makes World Cup history: no cards in a match for first time since 1998

Paraguay pulled off a rare disciplinary feat in the Round of 16 against France at the 2026 World Cup. The South American side finished the match without a single yellow or red card — the first time in 28 years that La Albirroja have gone through a World Cup game without a booking. The last time it happened was back in 1998, when Paraguay beat Nigeria in the group stage. This time around, the clash with France was anything but calm. Paraguay pressed hard and tracked aggressively, especially when dealing with Kylian Mbappé. One of the most heated moments came after Andrés Cubas fouled the French superstar. Mbappé retaliated with a rough challenge of his own, leading to a brief scuffle between the two. The referee, however, kept his cards in his pocket and let play continue without issuing any warnings. France won the match 1-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals.