Mbappe explains Morocco penalty miss and dismisses injury concerns
Kylian Mbappe revealed that a lengthy VAR delay affected his concentration during his penalty miss against Morocco and confirmed he is fit for France's World Cup semi-final.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Balkan Photos
France have secured their spot in the World Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Morocco, but Kylian Mbappe's missed penalty remained a key talking point following the final whistle. The forward revealed that a disruptive VAR review, which lasted over three minutes, severely affected his preparation.
After being initially awarded the spot-kick, Mbappe was left in a state of confusion as the referee hesitated, forcing him to reset his focus multiple times before eventually taking the shot.
I didn't shoot well. Then it gets complicated because there's a mix-up. The referee tells me there's a penalty. So I ask him if the VAR check is complete, and he says yes. From that moment on, we transition to Ousmane, who gives me the ball. Then he comes to me, when I'm already focused, to tell me there's no penalty. Kylian Mbappe
Despite the frustration, Mbappe accepted full responsibility for the miss. He noted that while he had practiced various concentration scenarios, this specific type of disruption was a new challenge he would need to adapt to in the modern era of VAR.
The France captain also sought to calm fans regarding his physical condition. He was substituted in the 77th minute after receiving treatment on the pitch, but he later confirmed that the issue was merely a minor ankle knock, not a serious injury.
Les Bleus are now preparing for their semi-final clash in Arlington, Texas, where they will face either Spain or Belgium. With Mbappe expected to be fully fit, the squad remains focused on their path to another World Cup final.