Should Marc Cucurella goal have stood? Spain 'furious' after opener in World Cup clash with Austria chalked off amid Jonathan Tah comparisons

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The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was front and centre once again as Spain had a goal controversially ruled out during their clash with Austria in the last 32 of the World Cup in Los Angeles on Thursday.

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Spain made a bright start and thought they had gone in front on half an hour when Real Madrid-bound Marc Cucurella lashed home after the ball had dropped into his path following a corner.

However, the goal was swiftly chalked off by referee Glenn Nyberg, who felt that Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager had been fouled seconds before Cucurella’s shot hit the back of the net.

”The whistle has gone,” said Steve Bower, on commentary for the BBC. ”Spain are furious, but straight away the Swedish official blew his whistle.”

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Danny Murphy was alongside Bower, and he added: ”I can’t see anything on the goalkeeper. There is a man in front of him, but he is not fouling him.

”I don’t think that should be disallowed, I really don’t. There is nothing in that at all.”

The goal drew comparisons to the incident that saw Jonathan Tah’s effort for Germany ruled out in their loss to Paraguay.

Former Premier League referee Darren Cann felt it was the wrong decision, but could understand why it was ruled out on account of the Tah controversy being an example for VAR to fall back on.

”I do not see a foul,” Cann said. ”For me, it is very similar to the Tah header in the Germany game that also got disallowed, wrongly in my opinion.

"It is a fair challenge and I would have given the goal, but I can understand why it has been disallowed, bearing in mind the Germany game. It is consistent with the refereeing earlier in the tournament.”

Jurgen Klopp suggested the Tah goal would not have been disallowed in the Premier League, and that was the view of Cann.

”Certainly in the Premier League those would be given,” Cann added.

Spain were not deterred and got their noses in front when Mikel Oyarzabal netted on 36 minutes.

Pedro Porro added another goal in the second half before Oyarzabal completed his brace late on as the 2010 World Cup winners headed into the last 16 to face Portugal or Croatia.

Throwing their food and drink at the TV

Former England international Joe Hart had words of sympathy for Premier League goalkeepers in light of the disallowed goals at the 2026 World Cup.

"There are going to be Premier League goalkeepers throwing their food and drink at the TV," Hart said. "What's gone in the Premier League this season, for this to be disallowed.

"It is really soft, it is just people challenging for the ball. Sometimes I can understand it when you get your hands knocked out of the way, or taken away from you. That is just an innocent challenge."

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