Lamine Yamal earned a penalty for Spain during their World cup 2026 semi-final match held in Dallas.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted the spot-kick to give Luis De La Fuente’s side the lead, though the decision from referee Ivan Barton sparked immediate controversy.

While Lucas Digne appeared to make clear contact with the player, France protested that Yamal committed a handball offence moments earlier.

ITV Sport rules analyst Christina Unkel disagreed with the French protests and supported the on-field decision made by the Salvadoran official. She compared the Digne foul to similar challenges involving Harry Kane against Mexico and Luka Modric against England earlier in the tournament.

Unkel stated: “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.”

Gary Neville also criticised Digne for his defending and his lack of awareness regarding Yamal’s positioning.

“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.”