Norway striker Erling Haaland has criticized the lengthy VAR delay that preceded Kylian Mbappe's penalty during France's 2-0 victory over Morocco in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. The Manchester City star took to Snapchat to express his displeasure, stating that waiting five minutes to take a penalty is excessive.
VAR Controversy in France vs Morocco Quarterfinal
France were awarded a penalty in the first half after Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui was judged to have committed a reckless challenge inside the box. Argentine referee Facundo Tello pointed to the spot, but play was halted for over four minutes while the Video Assistant Referee reviewed the incident. After the lengthy check, the penalty decision stood, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou produced a superb save to deny Mbappe from 12 yards.
According to SPORTbible, Haaland posted on Snapchat before later deleting the message: "Need to wait 5 min to take a penalty is way too long." Although Haaland estimated five minutes, Mbappe actually waited approximately three minutes and 12 seconds before taking the spot-kick. Many observers believed the lengthy interruption affected the France captain's concentration, with his low effort comfortably saved by Bounou.
Mbappe Redeems Himself in Second Half
Mbappe, however, recovered from the setback in the second half, breaking the deadlock in the 60th minute with a composed finish. Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele added France's second goal six minutes later, sealing a 2-0 victory and sending Les Bleus into the semifinals of the tournament, according to ESPN.
The match also drew scrutiny from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which sent a message to Morocco after their elimination. Morocco were the last African nation left in the tournament before France sent them home with goals from Mbappe and Dembele.
Haaland's Reaction Highlights Growing VAR Concerns
Haaland's criticism reflects a broader debate about the impact of VAR delays on the flow of the game and player performance. The incident has sparked discussions among fans and pundits about the need for more efficient video review processes in major tournaments.
The 2026 World Cup has seen several controversial VAR decisions, and this latest episode adds to the ongoing conversation about technology's role in football. As the tournament progresses, the focus will remain on how officials balance accuracy with maintaining the rhythm of the match.
