During the 2026 World Cup semi-final match in Dallas between Spain and France, a pivotal moment occurred when Lamine Yamal #19 earned a penalty for his side. The spot-kick was successfully converted by Mikel Oyarzabal, granting Luis De La Fuente’s team an early lead. However, the decision made by Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton immediately became a subject of controversy.
While Lucas Digne #3 was clearly seen making contact with Yamal, French players protested, arguing that the Spanish teenager had committed a handball offence prior to the foul. Despite these claims, ITV Sport rules analyst Christina Unkel supported the on-field decision made by the match officials. Unkel explained that the contact occurred on the sleeve of Yamal’s shirt, which is not considered part of the arm for the purpose of a handball ruling. She noted that the penalty should remain, comparing the situation to similar challenges involving Harry Kane and Luka Modric earlier in the tournament, stating that while players are committed to their challenges, they have the option to avoid making contact.
Gary Neville, also providing analysis for ITV Sport, shifted the focus toward Digne’s defensive performance. When asked if the French defender should have been more aware of Yamal’s presence, Neville agreed, noting that Digne lacked the necessary awareness. He remarked that when facing a player as brilliant as Yamal on the flank, a defender must be conscious of their positioning. Neville criticized Digne for closing his body off and failing to recognize that Yamal was there, asserting that he did not have a clue about the attacker's location.
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