Controversy in the semifinal: Did the referee ignore a handball before Spain's penalty?

The penalty awarded to the Spanish national team in their ongoing match against France in the 2026 World Cup semifinal at the Dallas stadium has sparked some debate.

Spain finished the first half leading by a single goal, thanks to a penalty won by Lamine Yamal after being fouled by Lucas Digne, which Mikel Oyarzabal successfully converted in the 22nd minute.

There were doubts about a possible handball by Yamal before he was fouled, which might have meant Spain was not entitled to the penalty. The account "Archivo VAR" on platform "X" intervened to dispel these doubts.

The account asked whether Yamal's handball that preceded the foul should be reviewed, and answered negatively; because the Spanish player took the ball with his arm pressed against his body, before receiving a kick from the defender. Since the play resulted in a penalty and not a direct goal, it is not subject to VAR review.

⁉️💥 Is Lamine Yamal's hand touch before Digne's penalty reviewable?

✅ 𝗡𝗢.

👉🏻 The Spaniard takes the ball with his arm glued to his body and, after that, receives a kick from the defender.

▪️ Since it resulted in a penalty and not an immediate goal, it is not reviewable by VAR. pic.twitter.com/C7MG8pmCnx

— Archivo VAR (@ArchivoVAR) July 14, 2026

It is worth noting that the winner of this match will await in the final the team advancing from the other semifinal between Argentina and England, to be played tomorrow, Wednesday.