WORLD CUP fans were furious after a Paraguay star got away with a David Beckham-esque kick out at Kylian Mbappe.
France’s won 1-0 in Philadelphia in an ill-tempered clash that threatened to boil over after some hefty challenges from the South Americans.
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Caceres clearly kicked out at Mbappe but the referee didn’t spot it Credit: BBC
Beckham was not so lucky at World Cup 1998 after seeing red for kicking Diego Simeone Credit: ITV
And Mbappe took matters into his own hands when he unceremoniously bundled over Juan Jose Caceres in the 78th minute.
But when the Paraguayan right-back was on the floor he lashed out and caught Mbappe on the shin with his studs in shades of Beckham’s infamous kick at Argentina’s Diego Simeone.
BBC commentator Steve Wilson was stunned referee Ilgiz Tantashev missed it – and it seemingly wasn’t even checked by VAR.
He said: “How can that not be seen? I don’t understand how you cannot see that.
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“I mean David Beckham got sent off for that in 1998.”
Co-commentator Stephen Warnock was unimpressed with Paraguay’s roughhouse tactics.
He said: “There is playing fair and tough, but this is playing tough and unfair.
“Paraguay are trying to injure players and that is unacceptable.”
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But the likes of France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands have both been knocked out on penalties in the Round of 32.
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Fans were equally up in arms, with one saying: “This France Paraguay referee is probably one of the worst I have ever seen. How is this allowed?
“He’s just David Beckham’d Mbappe, this is comical refereeing.”
Another added: “That Paraguayan player should be off, with the Beckham esque kick out on Mbappe.”
While a third said: “How have they not called that back?!?!”
A fourth even thought it was a good omen for England, writing: “I’ve just seen a kick out from a Paraguay player on Mbappe that wasn’t even looked at. Beckham got sent off for less in ‘98. We’re due some luck, it’s coming home.
The Mbappe incident came minutes after he put France ahead from the penalty spot after a VAR review for a foul on Desire Doue.
He sent the keeper the wrong way to draw level again with Lionel Messi with seven goals in the tournament – but only after Paraguay attempted more mind games by scuffing up the spot.
In the first half the French captain sparked a brawl after shoving Andres Cubas as tempers boiled over.
Mbappe celebrates at full-time after his penalty proved enough to send France through Credit: Getty
