Referee spoiled the game, worst referee on either side, football fans agree

Much ado about nothing? After a great football spectacle in the match between Germany and Spain (1: 2 after extra time), the unconverted penalty for the Germans is being discussed more than the result itself. However, it seems that the penalty was not ordered correctly.

• Spain eliminated the Germans with a goal in the 119th minute
• Both of Spain’s goals in the quarter-finals were scored by substitutes
• The Germans were also knocked out because of a handball, a similar penalty helped them in the eighth-final against Denmark

An early final between two teams in top form. That’s how the public described Friday’s quarter-final battle between Spain and Germany. The winner of the match was automatically the biggest favourite to win overall. The two rivals also met at the last World Cup in Qatar.

And the adjective “early final” was rightly used. Both teams wanted to play football, and after Spain’s opening goal, the Germans began to press. A late equaliser combined with the support of the home crowd helped them through extra time. However, in the 119th minute, there was a shock.

A hand overshadowed a great game

Perhaps all football fans, apart from the Spanish ones, took to social media after the end of the game to address the un-written penalty for the Germans after Marco Cucurella’s hand. It was said to be a blatant breach of the rules but was ignored by referee Anthony Taylor.

“The referee ruined the match,” wrote user Sabeena in a liked comment under Eura’s Instagram post. His opinion was supported by more than five thousand likes within the first hour after publication.

The whistle should have been blown for offside

Few TV viewers noticed, but the eventual hand was preceded by a probable offside by Niclas Füllkrug. However, he didn’t whistle Taylor after the action ended, so according to many, he should have simply blown the whistle after the ball hit Cucurella’s hand.

“Officially the worst refereeing on either side. It’s afailure of this match,” fan Nikolaj harshly assessed the English referee.

There were already concerns when Taylor was nominated. Even among English referees, he is not one of the most highly rated, having made errors on both goals in Friday’s quarter-final. On the German side, midfielder Toni Kroos should have been sent off.

However, it is worth noting that ESPN journalist Dale Johnson revealed that a penalty should not have been ordered. UEFA reportedly specified in a pre-tournament briefing the rule regarding handball that a penalty kick is not awarded if a player has his hand close to his side, and in a vertical downward position.

Source: Instagram