Mbappé penalty miss VAR distraction Bounou Morocco

Kylian Mbappé scored against Morocco, but he also experienced a more difficult moment facing Yassine Bounou. In the first half of the quarter-final won by France, the French striker missed a penalty when the score was still 0-0.

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The Moroccan goalkeeper did not flinch. He repelled Mbappé’s attempt, keeping the Lions of the Atlas in the match. After the game, the France captain returned to this action and the circumstances that preceded it.

Speaking to LCI, Mbappé explained that he was disturbed by the hesitations surrounding the referee’s decision. The referee had apparently first confirmed the penalty, before returning to him just as he was beginning to concentrate to tell him that a review was still underway.

Bounou did not let himself be fooled

The penalty was eventually confirmed, but Mbappé believes he lost his concentration. He also acknowledges not shooting well. "I let myself get distracted," he admitted, linking this episode to the functioning of modern football with VAR.

The Frenchman even joked about the situation, explaining that he had already imagined many scenarios to stay focused before a penalty, but not that one. A way of justifying his miss, without taking away from Bounou’s merit on the save.

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France ultimately won 2-0 and eliminated Morocco, but this saved penalty will remain as one of the highlights of the match. For Bounou, it is also another remarkable save against one of the world’s best strikers.