Marc Cucurella opens up about the controversial incident at Euro 2024

The Chelsea defender recently spoke out regarding the handball situation during the Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Germany and Spain, the tournament where Spain ultimately claimed the title.

The incident occurred in the final moments of the second half when a German player's shot struck Cucurella’s hand inside the penalty area. Although many expected a penalty to be awarded, the referee chose to let the game continue. Spain eventually secured a thrilling 2-1 victory thanks to Mikel Merino’s injury-time header, paving their way to the championship after defeating England in the final.

Cucurella’s handball became the center of debate across Europe. German fans were outraged, while experts continuously analyzed the correctness of the referee’s decision. According to Cucurella himself, UEFA used this incident as a key example during referee training sessions and subsequently revised the handball rules based on it.

The Spanish star shared with AS: "Yes, that handball was discussed worldwide. In fact, UEFA recently spoke with us and used my situation against Germany as a case study. They even said that because of me, the rules had to be changed."

However, Cucurella insisted that it was completely unintentional: "No, definitely not! The ball was shot from close range and hit my hand, I did not deliberately block it. Honestly, if I had, I would probably be the most hated player in Spain by now..."

This controversial decision not only influenced the history of Euro 2024 but also became a notable moment in Cucurella’s career. What makes it special is that it happened while the defender was at a peak in his career. He had just won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League with Chelsea and recently signed a long-term contract with the London club.

At 27, Cucurella is aiming even higher: securing a spot for the 2026 World Cup. Having established himself under coach Enzo Maresca, he is currently focused with the Spanish national team for two crucial qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey. If he maintains his form, he is well positioned to participate in his first-ever World Cup.