Kylian Mbappe was labelled an "absolute cheat" by ESPN commentator Craig Burley in a scathing on-air rant after he appeared to dive in last night's friendly between France and Wales.
The PSG forward theatrically threw himself to the ground after a collision with defender Joe Rodon in the 31st minute; a simulation that was quickly waved away by Portuguese referee Luis Godinho.
Mbappe didn't pick up a yellow card for his antics, although commentator Craig Burley was convinced his "nonsense" in the penalty area should have been punished.
In the rant, Burley says: "Oh, get up, get up! He's got a bad habit of that him you know, keep your eye on him. Look, Mr.Innocent Kylian Mbappe... Watch this, watch, cheat - absolute cheat.
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"Watch this... Look at him... Embarrassing. A player of his talent throwing himself over like that, the referee was spot on... he should've given him a yellow card.
"Give him a yellow for nonsense like that, if you're going to send young boys off like Neco Williams in a friendly like that, yellow card him (Mbappe) for diving."
"Let's put a stop to it before these Euros start. Sorry, rant over."
Mbappe's antics in the penalty area - and Burley's subsequent reaction to the PSG forward's dive - certainly got people talking on social media during the clash.
Away from the 'diving' incident and Didier Deschamps' side managed to record a comfortable 3-0 win against Wales thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele.
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It was a result made far more straightforward following the bizarre dismissal of defender Neco Williams.
The 20-year-old was given a harsh red card in the 26-minute mark when referee Luis Godinho deemed the Liverpool full-back's handball as deliberate after a lengthy VAR check.
After the final whistle, Wales winger Daniel James couldn't quite believe the controversial red card decision.
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"I'm not one to talk about referees, but it's a friendly game," he told Sky Sports.
"He took 10 minutes to look at it and then decided it's clear and obvious. I don't know how it's clear and obvious.
"He's two yards out and I'm not even sure it's a penalty. We've been told that if he's in a natural position and he can't do anything about it it's not a penalty.
"Even their players were saying 'don't send him off'. You may as well give them two goals with a penalty and a red card.
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"If it had happened against Switzerland (in Wales' Euro 2020 opener) we would be a lot more gutted."
Thoughts on Mbappe's antics in the first half?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: ESPNTopics: Football, Kylian Mbappe, France, Euros, Wales
