Cucurella provokes Croatian anger and receives a red card in Split
Marc Cucurella, left-back of La Roja, sparked the fury of the Croatian crowd in Split during Spain's 2-1 victory, while seizing a red card dropped by the referee. The match, part of the NC Football World Cup, qualified Spain for the Nations League quarter‑finals.
Match progression and numerical superiority
La Roja recorded its fourth consecutive win in the competition thanks to a brace from Mikel Merino, scored in the 61st minute and again in the 88th. The match turned when Croatian striker Ivan Perisic received his second yellow card in the 79th minute, leading to his dismissal. This numerical superiority allowed Spain to consolidate its lead.
Marc Cucurella incident and crowd reaction
Marc Cucurella fell to the ground after a defensive recovery by Ivan Perisic, then immediately demanded a second warning from referee Erik Lambrechts. The referee, following Cucurella’s “recommendations”, dropped the red card, which the Spanish full‑back seized before the official could brandish it. Cucurella thus handed the red card back to the referee.
The Split crowd whistled at every ball touched by Cucurella, targeting him virulently. This animosity was seen as a reflection of collective exasperation towards the Spanish player. The incident fueled tensions between Croatian supporters and La Roja.
Reactions from coaches and the player
Croatian manager Slaven Bilić commented on the scene, stating: “Who wouldn’t be angry at Cucurella if he doesn’t play for his team?” He added that the player was “a great player, whom I admire for what he does on the pitch and for his son’s story, but who clearly seeks provocation.”
Mikel Merino leads Spain's comeback in Split
A former defender criticised the Real Madrid full‑back for falling too easily, pointing out that Cucurella’s action seemed calculated to earn the red card.
Captain Luka Modrić also responded, stating: “What am I supposed to comment on? Cucurella positions himself… if Perisic hadn’t been sent off, we probably wouldn’t have lost. I’d rather not repeat what I told Cucurella.”
This isn’t the first time Cucurella has found himself in the crosshairs of the opposing crowd. At Euro 2024, he was booed by German supporters after an unpenalised hand, and he had already been whistled at in Bulgaria and Turkey.
Mikel Merino seals Spain's qualification with his brace
Marc Cucurella denied any simulation, stating that the foul was clear and that VAR had nothing to add after review. He concluded with a smile: “It was chance, I saw the referee couldn’t find his card and I gave it to him.”