France beats Morocco 2-0 as Mbappé protests delayed penalty

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in a World Cup knockout match, securing progression to the next round. Kylian Mbappé earned a penalty after being fouled in the box, but the referee delayed the kick for several minutes while VAR reviewed the incident. The delay frustrated Mbappé, who approached the referee twice to demand an explanation before finally taking the penalty, which he missed. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, watching the game on television, publicly criticised the lengthy pause, saying waiting five minutes was excessive. The missed spot‑kick was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper, and the match ended without further controversy, though some commentators and fans speculated about the delay.

The incident sparked debate over officiating standards, with several pundits and former players questioning whether the pause gave an unfair advantage to the defending team.