Morocco's head coach expressed frustration after VAR did not review a potential handball by French midfielder Adrien Rabiot in the build-up to Kylian Mbappé's opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal. The incident occurred in the first half, with Rabiot appearing to handle the ball before setting up Mbappé's strike.
Controversial handball incident
Morocco's coaching staff argued that the handball should have been checked by VAR, as it directly led to the goal. However, the referee allowed play to continue, and France took the lead. Speaking after the match, the Moroccan coach said, "We feel aggrieved because the handball was clear, and VAR should have intervened. It changed the course of the game."
VAR's decision upheld
Refereeing analyst Juan Guzmán later reviewed the incident and confirmed that disallowing the goal would have been incorrect. According to Guzmán, the handball was deemed incidental, as Rabiot's arm was in a natural position and the contact had no direct impact on the subsequent play. "The VAR decision was consistent with the laws of the game," Guzmán stated. "The handball was not deliberate, and it did not directly lead to the goal."
Morocco's World Cup run
Despite the loss, Morocco's head coach praised France's performance and acknowledged their impressive campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026. "France is a great team, and they deserved to win," he said. "We are proud of our journey, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in our history." Morocco had earlier defeated Portugal and Spain en route to the quarterfinals.
French dominance in possession
Ouabhi, a Moroccan football analyst, admitted France's superiority in possession and attacking play, particularly on the flanks and in midfield. "France controlled the game with 60% possession and created more chances," Ouabhi noted. "Their width and midfield pressing were key factors in the victory." France's opening goal came in the 31st minute, and they added a second in the second half to seal a 2-0 win.
