Keane takes aim at Henderson with advertising board quip as Mbappe dances after France's win

Roy Keane aimed a pointed jibe at Jordan Henderson during ITV’s coverage of France’s 2-0 World Cup quarter-final victory over Morocco in Boston, using Kylian Mbappe’s exuberant post-match celebrations as the prompt. Goals from Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele sealed France’s passage to the semi-finals, where they will face the winner of Spain or Belgium.

Mbappe had been substituted before full time for treatment on what appeared to be an ankle injury, and was seen icing the problem on the bench as the final minutes played out. When the whistle blew, however, recovery protocols were swiftly abandoned — the Real Madrid forward sprinted onto the pitch and jumped and danced in front of France’s supporters in the goalmouth.

ITV presenter Mark Pougatch noted the apparent contradiction: “I thought he was supposed to have a bad ankle!” Keane, watching Mbappe leap around, replied: “I think his ankle is ok, don’t you? He seems to be enjoying it, and why not?”

The sight of Mbappe jumping gave Keane his opening. The former Manchester United captain quipped that he hoped Mbappe would not jump over the advertising boards — a pointed reference to Henderson, who had been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his arm when he slipped jumping over an advertising hoarding at the Azteca Stadium following England’s win over Mexico.

France’s captain had shaken his head when he was brought off but was moving freely by the time the celebrations began, suggesting the injury was not serious enough to threaten his involvement in the semi-final.