Morocco coach claims handball before France's opening goal

Morocco's World Cup journey concluded with a quarterfinal loss to France, failing to replicate their fourth-place finish from the 2022 tournament. Following the match, Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi voiced his dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the play that led to France's opening goal.

"There was a handball," Ouahbi stated in comments to BeIn Sports. He explained that the goal originated from a contested ball, and some of his players paused their play upon seeing what they perceived as a handball. "It was a handball, although I don't know if it should have been called or not. The truth is, I don't know. Then came an individual play by Mbappé that ended in a goal," he added.

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There was a handball. It was a handball, although I don't know if it should have been called or not. The truth is, I don't know. Then came an individual play by Mbappé that ended in a goal.

The match officials, including referee Facundo Tello and VAR official Hernán Mastrángelo, both Argentinian, did not deem the incident a handball offense. Images from the game appear to show the ball making contact with the right hand of French player Adrien Rabiot. However, the contact was described as unintentional and occurred after the ball bounced off his body.

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We have to admit that we played against a very good team. We suffered a lot in the first half and Bounou had a great save on the penalty. In the second half, we defended better and, above all, we were calmer with the ball. We were much better.

Moroccan players, led by captain Achraf Hakimi, protested the decision to Tello. Despite the disappointment, Ouahbi also reflected on the overall match, acknowledging France's strength while expressing regret over his team's performance. "We have to admit that we played against a very good team," he said. "We suffered a lot in the first half... In the second half, we defended better and, above all, we were calmer with the ball. We were much better."

Ouahbi further elaborated in the post-match press conference, noting his team's struggles with possession and effective transitions. "When we had the ball, we weren't effective enough in the transitions. We wanted to do more with the ball," he stated. "The start of the second half was a bit better. But you have to recognize that France is a very good team."

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When we had the ball, we weren't effective enough in the transitions. We wanted to do more with the ball. The start of the second half was a bit better. But you have to recognize that France is a very good team.