Spain vs Austria World Cup match referee controversy over disallowed Cucurella goal
During the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Austria, Marc Cucurella scored in the 30th minute, but the goal was disallowed after referee Nyberg ruled that teammate Pau Cubarsi fouled Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. The decision sparked intense debate, with former referees and analysis accounts sharply divided—some calling the foul obvious, others insisting the goal should have stood. Cucurella later assisted Spain’s opening goal in the 36th minute.
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Joe Hart fumes over World Cup call which will have Premier League stars 'throwing things at TV'
Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in the World Cup round of 32 to advance to the last 16, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal (2) and Pedro Porro. However, the match was marked by controversy when Marc Cucurella's early goal was disallowed for a soft foul on the Austrian goalkeeper, a decision upheld after VAR review. BBC pundit and former England goalkeeper Joe Hart strongly criticized the call, saying Premier League keepers would be 'throwing their food and drink at the TV.' Hart noted the stark contrast between the leniency allowed in the Premier League for set-piece jostling versus the strict enforcement at the World Cup. He acknowledged that something needed to be done about excessive wrestling in the penalty area but argued that disallowing two 'perfectly good goals' (citing a similar decision earlier against Jonathan Tah) was not the right solution.
Mirror - FootballJoe Hart: Cucurella's Disallowed Goal Was Not a Foul, World Cup Officiating Too Soft
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart criticized the decision to disallow a goal by Spain's Cucurella during a World Cup match against Austria, calling it 'too soft' and not a foul. Speaking on BBC One, Hart argued that both players were simply competing for the ball and that the referee prematurely blew the whistle. He acknowledged that officiating standards need improvement, referencing similar issues in the Premier League, but expressed concern that disallowing two goals in a World Cup could have significant consequences for teams like Germany and Spain. The match was 1-0 to Spain at the time of the incident.
虎扑 - 足球Hand-Spanier: More Referee Chaos Over Cucurella in Spain vs. Austria World Cup Match
During the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match between Spain and Austria, Spanish defender Marc Cucurella was at the center of a refereeing controversy. In the 29th minute, a goal by Cucurella was disallowed after a foul was called on Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager, despite ARD referee expert Lutz Wagner stating there was no visible holding or pushing, only a normal duel. The decision mirrored a controversial call in Germany's earlier elimination match against Paraguay, where a Jonathan Tah goal was disallowed. Cucurella, already infamous among German fans for an uncalled handball during Euro 2024 that led to Germany's elimination, was furious. However, he later celebrated in the 36th minute when he assisted Mikel Oyarzabal for Spain's opening goal, making it 1-0.
BILD - SportReferee Expert: Cucurella's Disallowed Goal Should Have Counted Against Austria
During a match between Spain and Austria on July 2, Swedish referee Nyberg disallowed a goal by Spain's Marc Cucurella in the 30th minute, ruling that he had fouled the Austrian goalkeeper beforehand. However, Marca Radio referee expert Alfonso Pérez Burrull criticized the decision on the program 'Marcador,' stating that there was no infraction. Burrull explained that Cucurella made a vertical jump alongside the goalkeeper without any pushing or blocking, and therefore the goal should have stood. The incident has sparked debate among fans, with some arguing that another Spanish player, Rodri, may have inadvertently caused a collision. The match report drew 1,525 reads on the Hupu community platform, indicating moderate interest among Chinese football fans.
虎扑 - 足球Former La Liga Referee: Cubarsí's Foul Was Obvious, Cucurella's Disallowed Goal Correct
In a World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Austria, a controversial refereeing decision occurred near the half-hour mark. Spain earned a corner kick, and during the scramble in the penalty area, defender Cubarsí was judged by Swedish referee Nyberg to have fouled Austrian goalkeeper Schlager. The ball then fell to Cucurella, who volleyed it into the net, but the goal was disallowed. Former La Liga referee Iturralde González, a referee analyst for AS and Cadena SER, supported the decision, stating that under World Cup refereeing guidelines protecting goalkeepers, Cubarsí made clear contact with the goalkeeper's arm while jumping, restricting his movement. González concluded that the disallowed goal was correct. The article is sourced from Hupu soccer and originally from AS.
虎扑 - 足球VAR Archive: Cucurella's Goal Should Have Stood, No Goalkeeper Interference
In a World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Austria, Spain's Cucurella scored a powerful shot from outside the box in the 30th minute. However, the referee disallowed the goal, ruling that Spanish player Cubarsí had previously collided with Austrian goalkeeper Schlager. The analysis account Archivo VAR criticized the decision, stating that VAR chose not to intervene. Archivo VAR argued that both Cubarsí and Schlager were legitimately contesting for the ball, with no obstruction or interference by the Spanish player against the goalkeeper. They emphasized that goalkeepers are not untouchable unless an opponent prevents them from competing for the ball. The account concluded the goal should have been valid.
虎扑 - 足球Cucurella's Goal Disallowed Due to Cubarsi's Foul on Goalkeeper
During the World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Austria on July 3rd, in the 30th minute, Spanish player Marc Cucurella fired the ball into the net for what appeared to be a goal. However, the referee ruled that teammate Pau Cubarsi had committed a foul on the Austrian goalkeeper before the shot, and subsequently disallowed the goal. The decision sparked debate among fans. The match is part of the knockout stage of the tournament. The article, sourced from Hupu Football, a Chinese sports community platform, provides a concise report of the incident.
虎扑 - 足球