‘It Hit My Hand’: Marc Cucurella Finally Breaks His Silence on Controversial Handball at Euro 2024

• Spain defender Marc Cucurella has opened up about the handball incident during his side's quarter-final tie against Germany
• Euro 2024 hosts, Germany, expected to receive a penalty when Jamal Musiala's shot clearly struck the 25-year-old's hand
• But neither referee Anthony Taylor nor the video assistant referee (VAR) decided to award Julian Nagelsmann's side a penalty

Marc Cucurella has finally shared his perspective on the contentious handball incident during Spain's quarter-final match against Germany at the 2024 Euros.

The Chelsea fullback was involved in a crucial moment during extra time when a shot from Jamal Musiala struck his hand as Germany pressed for a winner with the score tied at 1-1.

Marc Cucurella's controversial handball vs Germany

Despite fervent appeals from the three-time champions and loud protests from the predominantly German crowd at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart, referee Anthony Taylor dismissed the appeals, and the VAR did not overturn his decision.

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Shortly after, substitute Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal with a well-timed header in the 119th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for La Roja.

Predictably, the primary post-match discussion focused on Cucurella's handball incident.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann criticised the decision to deny his team a late penalty, saying, "The referee favoured Spain a bit."

Why were Germany not awarded a penalty after Cucurella's handball?

While the host nation felt aggrieved by Taylor's decision, the Premier League official's ruling aligned with the competition's handball regulations.

According to ESPN's Dale Johnson, UEFA's pre-tournament briefing specified that a handball should not be penalized if the arm is close to the body, pointing downwards or vertically, and behind the body's line.

Cucurella breaks silence on handball incident

Days after the incident, Cucurella finally shared his side of the story.

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"The ball hit my hand, but the referee immediately said no, no, no, and that made me feel better. If the refereeing experts say it's not a handball, then it's not a handball," he said, as quoted by Tribuna.

Cucurella opens up on how to stop Mbappe

Sports Brief also reported that Marc Cucurella believes a unified approach is essential to stopping France striker Kylian Mbappe in their Euro 2024 semi-final clash.

Cucurella, who has been one of Spain's standout players despite an inconsistent season with Chelsea, emphasised the need for teamwork.

La Roja will face France in Munich on Tuesday, July 9, after eliminating hosts Germany in extra time.