Morocco Coach Questions VAR in World Cup Loss to France

Jul 10, 2026

55 min

Jul 10, 2026 11:30

'There was a handball': Morocco coach raises questions over VAR before Mbappe's strike

## Controversial Handball Incident

During the 2026 World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, a contentious moment arose when Morocco's defenders paused, believing French player Adrien Rabiot had committed a handball. This incident occurred just before Kylian Mbappe scored, leading Morocco's coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, to question the role of VAR in the decision-making process.

## Morocco's Performance

Despite the controversy, Ouahbi acknowledged France's dominance throughout the match. Morocco struggled in the first half, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou making a crucial penalty save. The team improved after halftime but ultimately couldn't overcome France's strength.

## Mbappe's Redemption

Kylian Mbappe, who had missed a penalty earlier, redeemed himself by scoring his eighth goal of the tournament and assisting Ousmane Dembele for France's second goal. This performance helped secure France's place in the semi-finals, marking their third consecutive appearance at this stage.

## France's Journey Continues

France's victory over Morocco sets them up for a semi-final clash against either Belgium or Spain. The team, led by coach Didier Deschamps, aims to continue their successful World Cup run, following their 2018 championship and 2022 runner-up finish.

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