In Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Belgium, Belgium’s claim for a late penalty after a handball by Spain’s Rodri is rejected. Multiple reports describe the incident as occurring late in the match, when Belgium sought a spot-kick on the grounds of contact involving Rodri’s arm or hand. Referee Michael Oliver does not award the penalty and instead keeps the decision in Spain’s favour.
The controversy centers on whether the contact met the threshold for a penalty under the handball laws. While Belgium argue that the offence should have resulted in a penalty, the match officials maintain that the ruling against Belgium is correct. The reporting also frames Oliver’s decision as aligned with the application of the rules for the specific circumstances of the incident.
As a result, the match outcome is not altered by the late penalty appeal, and Spain progress with the referee’s ruling standing despite the dispute around Rodri’s handball.
