Rodri wasn’t sent off in Spain's Euro 2024 opener against Croatia. Here’s why.
On Saturday, Spain kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a thumping 3-0 win over Croatia at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Luis de la Fuente's side scored all three of their goals in a one-sided first half, with the first two coming in the space of three minutes through Alvaro Morata and Fabian Ruiz.
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Spain’s third came courtesy of Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, who buried 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal’s pin-point cross.
The only moment in which Spain’s lead looked at all in jeopardy was in the 78th minute when Rodri fouled Bruno Petkovic, who seemed certain to score, in the box.
Referee Michael Oliver showed the Spain player a yellow card with the VAR, Stuart Attwell, checking both the spot kick and a possible red card.
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Rodri’s tackle appeared to be one that in past seasons would have been awarded a red card.
However, IFAB, football’s lawmakers, last year relaxed rules around denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
The law now dictates that when a defending player denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by committing an offence that was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball inside the penalty area, then it should be treated as unsporting behaviour, with the perpetrator only booked.
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Petkovic scored from the rebound after the Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon saved his penalty, only for the goal to be subsequently disallowed due to player encroachment.
The 3-0 win was a perfect start to the tournament for Spain, with the only concern being an apparent knock to Rodri, that saw the Manchester City star substituted late on.
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Chris Byfield