​Kylian Mbappé came close to delivering a decisive lead for France in the 28th minute of their Round of 16 World Cup clash with Morocco on Thursday, but his powerful strike was brilliantly denied by Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Mbappé had ample time to devise a way past Bounou, as a VAR review stretched beyond three minutes to confirm the ruling. The lengthy delay after the whistle following a foul by Noussair Mazraoui forced Mbappé to restart his pre-penalty routine several times, adding tension to the moment and giving Bounou extra time to prepare for the save.
After Bounou stopped the effort, Mbappé vented his frustration toward Argentine referee Facundo Tello, who appeared reluctant to engage in discussion. Had Mbappé found the back of the net, he would have drawn level with Lionel Messi at the top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, intensifying the race for the tournament’s top scorer.
The save also ended Mbappé’s personal run of 15 consecutive successful penalty attempts. His last miss came for France in a Round of 16 defeat to Switzerland at Euro 2020, marking a rare lapse in a streak that had stretched across major competitions. For Bounou, the stop represented a remarkable milestone, as it marked his fourth World Cup penalty save, including shootouts. Across World Cup appearances, opponents have found the back of the net on only two of the nine attempts he has faced from the spot, with three missing the target, according to Squawka data.
As the first half concluded, the score remained level at 0-0, with France and Morocco poised for a tense second half. The long pause, the pre-kick routine disruptions, and the dramatic save all added to the drama of a match that carried high stakes for both sides. The halftime whistle left the teams still deadlocked, setting the stage for a gripping second period where either side could tilt the tie in their favor.