It was a decision that stunned the world's best referees. With the game goalless at the New York New Jersey Stadium, France forward Kylian Mbappe went down inside the box after a challenge by Senegal's Sadio Mane in the 58th minute. Referee Alireza Faghani was sent to the pitchside monitor, returned, and appeared to point to the penalty spot – only to signal for a goal-kick, explaining that Mbappe had initiated the contact.
Speaking on BBC One, Darren Cann, the 2010 World Cup final assistant referee, said: "My phone has blown up with messages from several of the world's best referees who also can't understand why a penalty wasn't given." Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, at the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, labelled it a "rubbish decision". "No chance at all. How can he [Mbappe] have initiated the contact? The most nonsensical line I have ever heard," Nevin said. Former England captain Alan Shearer, at the game for BBC One, called it "bizarre". "You can see the lunge from Mane and his left leg catches Mbappe. How can Mbappe initiate contact if he is in front of him?"
“Referees worldwide are baffled after France were denied a penalty against Senegal, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic called out Alexi Lalas on live TV.”
France boss Didier Deschamps said after the game: "A penalty should have been awarded but this is my interpretation. The referee is always correct." In the end the decision did not hurt France, who won 3-1, with Mbappe scoring twice. The Real Madrid forward replaced Olivier Giroud as France's all-time leading scorer, with 58 goals in 99 appearances, and became France's all-time top scorer at World Cups with 14 goals in 15 matches.
After the match, a different kind of drama unfolded on FOX Sports. Pundit Alexi Lalas suggested the French side displayed arrogance during the opening half. "The reality is, if they are arrogant, it's because they can do things like that," Lalas said. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, working for FOX Sports alongside Thierry Henry, shot back: "It's not arrogance, it's confidence. Ignorant people will say it's arrogance, intelligent people it's confidence." As Ibrahimovic spoke, Henry gazed at the camera with widened eyes, heightening the uncomfortable atmosphere. It was not their first confrontation; Ibrahimovic had previously criticised Lalas for placing excessive pressure on the USMNT after their victory over Paraguay.