Argentine referees & penalty controversy: France are through, Morocco out but not without drama

Last Updated on 10 July 2026

Morocco came to Boston Stadium having eliminated Canada in the quarter-finals, having knocked out the Netherlands in the previous round, and having become the first African nation to reach the last eight of consecutive World Cups.

France came with an Argentine referee. Given the mood around this tournament’s officiating, that single detail was enough to set the internet alight before a ball was kicked.

By full time, France had won 2-0 and booked their place in the World Cup semifinal. Whether the performance justified the scoreline is a debate that will run for days.

A disputed penalty, a missed spotkick and a goal that some claim shouldn’t have stood

he controversy began in the 24th minute when Argentine referee Franco Tello awarded France a penalty after Kylian Mbappe went down under a challenge from Noussair Mazraoui in the box. Morocco’s players argued immediately that Mazraoui had not made contact.

They said Mbappe had gone down before the challenge arrived, attempting to win the call.
The VAR review took three minutes and ten seconds, with Mbappe visibly bemused by the wait while co-commentators described it as “the biggest saga ever for a penalty” as per Football 360.

Then Bounou saved it. Mbappe struck a weak, hesitant effort that Yassine Bounou read easily, becoming only the second French player to miss a penalty in World Cup history. Morocco, and much of the watching world, exhaled. The controversy had been neutralised. Briefly.

France’s opening goal in the 60th minute, Mbappe’s eighth of the tournament, was immediately disputed by Morocco, who claimed the ball had struck Michael Olise’s arm in the build-up. The goal stood after a VAR review. Minutes later, Dembele added a second.

France were through. Morocco were out. And the entire refereeing crew was Argentine: the same nationality as the referee who oversaw Egypt’s contentious exit against Argentina days earlier, a fact that did not go unnoticed.

Morocco’s great run ends but legacy is already written

Morocco’s xG in the first half was 0.04, an extraordinary figure that reflects how completely France controlled possession and territory for the opening 45 minutes. The Atlas Lions improved after the break, with Brahim Diaz and Ounahi making dangerous runs.

But Bounou, outstanding again with six saves, was ultimately the only reason the scoreline remained respectable. Morocco become the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals of back-to-back World Cups, surpassing their own history in the process.

Yet the manner of the exit will sit uncomfortably. A tournament defined by contested officiating decisions has now produced another. France, as ever, march on, into a semi-final against either Spain or Belgium.

Mbappe left with an ice pack on his ankle, which will concern Deschamps heading into the last four. Morocco left with their heads high and a question that nobody appears willing to answer. The controversy did not start today. It will not end tonight, either.