Did Lamine Yamal commit a handball as he won a penalty for Spain vs France?

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Lamine Yamal earned a penalty for Spain against France in their World cup 2026 semi-final in Dallas.

It was dispatched by Mikel Oyarzabal to hand Luis De La Fuente’s side the lead, but controversy surrounded the decision by referee Ivan Barton.

While Lucas Digne appeared to make clear contact, France protested that Yamal made a handball offence beforehand.

But ITV Sport rules analyst Christina Unkel disagreed with that interpretation and agreed with the on-field decision of the Salvadoran official, comparing Digne’s offence to that of Harry Kane against Mexico and Luka Modric against England already in this tournament.

Unkel said: “It’s a good analysis to take a look at that, the contact is on the sleeve of Yamal, it would not be considered part of the arm.

“That would not be recalled back for a handling offence. the penalty should stay. Like Harry Kane, they’re committed to the challenge, but they have the option of not making contact.”

While Gary Neville criticised Digne for his defending and lacking awareness of where Yamal was.

Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain is fouled in the box by Lucas Digne #3 of France (Getty)

“Yes,” Neville told ITV Sport when asked if Digne should be more conscious of Yamal’s presence. “Particularly when somebody so brilliant on the outside, you have to be aware of where he is. He’s closed his body off initially, he has to be aware of where Yamal is, Modric and Kane did it, but he has to be more aware around him. He’s not even aware he’s there, he hasn’t got a clue.”

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