World Cup referee jeered after ignoring VAR to make controversial Mbappe penalty decision

 Senegal captain Sadio Mane's ambitious second-half slide tackle in the box on France superstar Kylian Mbappe seemed to meet all the criteria for a penalty: it was big and reckless, elicited a theatrical reaction from a star player, and drew loud cheers from the France-heavy crowd.

At 0-0, the rematch of the 2002 World Cup opening contest was on a knife-edge — although a 66th-minute Kylian Mbappe goal changed later changed that. Senegal started strongly after a turgid first 25 minutes, before a hydration break full of fan exits.

Australian referee Alireza Faghani initially hesitated before he was swarmed by a sea of Les Blues attackers, but he ruled there would be no penalty. The VAR assistant, active as usual, urged Faghani to check the on-field monitor

After more than a few moments, Faghani pointed to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's net. The French supporters, greatly outnumbering the Senegalese fans due to U.S. travel restrictions limiting their entry, screamed with delight at the temperate New York/New Jersey stadium.

They weren't the only ones to cheer: French left-back Jules Kounde applauded as if the decision had gone his side's way. Instead, French players and supporters were in for a rude awakening.

Faghani was actually gesturing for a goal kick. Because he had not originally ruled the play a penalty, he did not make the dramatic "no-call" hand gesture, as VAR asked him to look at the decision.

French fans made up the majority of the stadium but were particularly concentrated behind Mike Maignan's goal on the other side. They jeered vociferously, drowning out the stadium PA announcer's announcement.

It's almost unheard of for a referee to look at the monitor and not change the initial on-field decision: one analysis showed that decisions in the Premier League changed in 95 percent of instances.

What of the challenge itself? While speaking to fans, the referee stated that Mbappe initiated the contact. A closer review shows Mane's slide missing Mbappe's left foot before he gently grazed the Frenchman's right, which was carrying the ball along the edge of the Senegalese 18-yard box.

After the incident, Mbappe remained grounded, wagging his finger to say "no" to Senegalese players protesting that the play was a potential dive. Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron was awarded a yellow card for diving in the USMNT's box attempting to win a penalty last Friday.

Mbappe, like he usually does, slotted home minutes later in the 66' off a beautiful Michael Olise through ball. The Real Madrid superstar smugly ran to the corner flag and celebrated with his trademark hand-cross.

Substitute Bradley Barcola polished off the France victory with a cool finish in the 82nd minute, meaning the penalty controversy didn't impact proceedings overall.

Mbappe finished proceedings with a stunning injury-time strike to round out a 3-1 France victory.