Should Cucurella's goal have stood? Joe Hart joins Spain fury
DIRECT ANSWER: Marc Cucurella's opening goal for Spain against Austria was disallowed because referee Glenn Nyberg ruled Pau Cubarsi fouled goalkeeper Alexander Schlager on a Lamine Yamal corner, and VAR upheld the call. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has become a focal point in the broadcast backlash, with TNT Sports reporting Spain were furious amid comparisons to Jonathan Tah's ruled-out Germany goal.
Key Takeaways
- Cucurella thought he had scored in the 29th minute, but Nyberg chalked the goal off for a foul on Schlager that VAR confirmed.
- TNT Sports asked whether the strike should have stood and linked Spain's anger to the earlier Jonathan Tah disallowed-goal row.
- The Independent reported BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy and referee analyst Darren Cann both disagreed with the decision.
- Cucurella quickly set up Mikel Oyarzabal to break the deadlock after being denied on the finish himself.
- Joe Hart's goalkeeper perspective sits at the centre of a wider World Cup debate on set-piece jostling and keeper protection.
Why was Marc Cucurella's goal disallowed against Austria?
Spain thought they had taken the lead when Cucurella lashed home from close range after a Lamine Yamal corner dropped into his path in the 29th minute of their World Cup last-32 tie with Austria. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg blew immediately for a foul, and a VAR check confirmed his on-field decision.
The Independent reported that the goal was ruled out because of contact on Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager. Pau Cubarsi had challenged the keeper as Schlager flapped at the ball under pressure in a crowded penalty area. Under the laws of the game, a goal cannot stand if an offence is committed in the build-up.
Should the goal have stood according to Joe Hart?
TNT Sports framed the central question as whether Cucurella's strike should have stood, noting Spain were furious after their opener was chalked off amid Tah comparisons. That parallel matters because both goals were wiped out after officials judged attackers had impeded the goalkeeper during a set piece.
Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has been widely cited in broadcast analysis of the ruling as ex-keepers weigh in on how strictly those fouls are being punished at this World Cup. The Independent separately reported that BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy and referee analyst Darren Cann disagreed with Nyberg's call, adding to the sense that the decision looked harsh to many watching.
How does this compare to the Jonathan Tah controversy?
The Tah incident has become the reference point for Spain's frustration. Germany saw Tah's extra-time effort against Paraguay ruled out after a VAR review on goalkeeper interference, a decision that fuelled fierce post-match anger and dominated the round-of-32 narrative.
TNT Sports explicitly drew comparisons between the two calls, suggesting officials are applying a consistent but controversial standard. For Spain, the timing stung: Cucurella had just appeared to give the European champions an early foothold in a knockout tie that was still goalless when the whistle blew.
What happened after Spain's opener was chalked off?
Despite the early controversy, Spain did not let the decision derail them for long. The Independent noted that Cucurella provided the assist for Mikel Oyarzabal to score shortly afterwards, turning creator after being denied on the finish himself.
The episode is another flashpoint in a World Cup already defined by VAR scrutiny on set pieces. For readers tracking how technology and officiating directives reshape big-game moments, see more analysis in our Future Tech & AI Wonders section. Full match context is available from The Independent.