France reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Morocco, but the match is overshadowed by a long VAR intervention involving Kylian Mbappé. Multiple outlets report that Mbappé faces a lengthy wait before a first-half penalty is taken after a VAR review, and he ultimately misses the spot-kick. Erling Haaland, watching from outside the pitch, publicly criticises the officiating and the time taken for the decision, with some reporting that his reaction is shared on social media. The penalty incident becomes the focus of post-match debate: Morocco’s Yassine Bounou saves the missed penalty, and discussion centres on whether the VAR process contributed to the delay and how refereeing procedures are carried out during key moments. One outlet further notes that Haaland later deletes a viral post related to his reaction. Overall reporting agrees that while France’s victory stands, the extended VAR review and its timing around Mbappé’s penalty shape the narrative of the quarter-final.