Spain secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Belgium 2-1 in a dramatic quarterfinal at SoFi Stadium on Friday, July 10. The match, officiated by English referee Michael Oliver, was overshadowed by a controversial handball incident involving Spain midfielder Rodri that left Belgium players and fans incensed.
Match Summary
Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute, but Charles De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium 11 minutes later, sending the teams into halftime level. Substitute Mikel Merino proved to be Spain's hero once again, reacting quickest to a rebound in the 88th minute to score his second goal off the bench in as many matches and seal the victory for La Roja.
The Controversial Incident
Belgium players and supporters were left furious after Michael Oliver waved away appeals for a handball against Rodri inside the penalty area. The Video Assistant Referee opted not to review the incident, prompting outrage. However, Swedish referee instructor Victor, who runs the Referee Channel on X and regularly analyses controversial decisions using the IFAB Laws of the Game, explained why the officials were correct not to award a penalty.
According to Victor, the IFAB handball law states: "A handball offence is not committed when the ball touches a player's hand or arm directly from the head or body of a team-mate." In this case, the ball had first been headed by Spain defender Aymeric Laporte before striking Rodri's arm, meaning the incident did not constitute a handball offence. Victor also noted that Laporte's header caused a sudden change in direction, leaving Rodri with little or no time to react, and that Rodri's arm was in a natural position.
IFAB Handball Law Clarification
The IFAB handball law explicitly excludes situations where the ball touches a player's hand or arm directly from the head or body of a teammate. This provision is designed to avoid penalizing players for unavoidable contact. Victor emphasized that the referee's decision was consistent with the laws, despite the controversy.
Impact on Belgium
Belgium's elimination means they exit the tournament at the quarterfinal stage, while Spain advance to face either France or Morocco in the semifinals. The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, but the referee instructor's explanation provides clarity on why no penalty was given.
