Spain’s Marc Cucurella won’t be making many friends in Germany. He will feel that in the European Championship semi-final against France

It took less than two minutes for Spain’s Marc Cucurella to get the ball for the first time in the European Championship semi-final against France. As soon as the left-back touched the ball, there was a roar in the Munich stadium. The 25-year-old was met with a resounding roar of whistles. Background: the Germany game last Friday

The English referee Anthony Taylor had allowed play to continue in the 106th minute at 1:1 when Jamal Musiala shot the ball at the hand of Cucurella, who was standing in his own penalty area. The VAR was also silent, Taylor did not look at the scene again on the monitor. This decision sparked a fierce debate – among experts, players and fans.

“I understand that it’s a somewhat dubious action,” said Cucurella afterwards: ‘But I think if Germany had won, it wouldn’t have been discussed. ’

The 25-year-old Chelsea FC player also referred to other controversial decisions by the referee. “We could have complained about him not sending off Toni Kroos,” said Cucurella, referring to several yellow cards for fouls on the German midfield star in the early stages of the game. “In the end, we won, and that’s the most important thing.”

On Tuesday evening, some Germany fans had apparently bought tickets in the hope of seeing Julian Nagelsmann’s team. The Spanish fans promptly responded to the whistles by cheering on their left-back, behind whom Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo was confined to the bench.

However, the German fans must have felt a little satisfaction after eight minutes. And not just because they jeered every time Cucurella lost the ball. After a cross from Kylian Mbappé, the Spaniard lost sight of Randal Kolo Muani. The Frenchman nodded in to give his country an early lead.

In the semi-final – why Spain player earns a whistle

Spain’s Marc Cucurella won’t be making many friends in Germany. He will feel that in the European Championship semi-final against France

It took less than two minutes for Spain’s Marc Cucurella to get the ball for the first time in the European Championship semi-final against France. As soon as the left-back touched the ball, there was a roar in the Munich stadium. The 25-year-old was met with a resounding roar of whistles. Background: the Germany game last Friday

The English referee Anthony Taylor had allowed play to continue in the 106th minute at 1:1 when Jamal Musiala shot the ball at the hand of Cucurella, who was standing in his own penalty area. The VAR was also silent, Taylor did not look at the scene again on the monitor. This decision sparked a fierce debate – among experts, players and fans.

“I understand that it’s a somewhat dubious action,” said Cucurella afterwards: ‘But I think if Germany had won, it wouldn’t have been discussed. ’

The 25-year-old Chelsea FC player also referred to other controversial decisions by the referee. “We could have complained about him not sending off Toni Kroos,” said Cucurella, referring to several yellow cards for fouls on the German midfield star in the early stages of the game. “In the end, we won, and that’s the most important thing.”

On Tuesday evening, some Germany fans had apparently bought tickets in the hope of seeing Julian Nagelsmann’s team. The Spanish fans promptly responded to the whistles by cheering on their left-back, behind whom Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo was confined to the bench.

However, the German fans must have felt a little satisfaction after eight minutes. And not just because they jeered every time Cucurella lost the ball. After a cross from Kylian Mbappé, the Spaniard lost sight of Randal Kolo Muani. The Frenchman nodded in to give his country an early lead.