Explained: Why Germany were not awarded a penalty after Marc Cucurella handball during Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to Spain

The game was tied at 1-1 and in the first half of extra-time when Musiala let fly from just outside the area. The Germany forward's shot smashed Cucurella's hand but neither referee Anthony Taylor nor VAR Stuart Attwell decided to award Julian Nagelsmann's side a penalty.

According to ESPN's Dale Johnson, the Premier League officials were right to ignore Germany's appeals under UEFA's current interpretation of the handball laws.

"UEFA's pre-tournament briefing on handballs gave a specific example just like Marc Cucurella, saying it should NOT be a handball penalty," Johnson said. "Arm close to the side, pointing predominantly down/vertically, and/or a position behind line of the body."

Johnson went on to explain why Cucurella wasn't punished while Denmark's Joachim Andersen was for a handball in the Danes' 2-0 defeat to Germany.

"UEFA deems that arm position to be unnatural and creating a barrier," he added. "Understandable fans would think the two decisions are the wrong way around ... But they aren't per intended interpretation."

Germany played their part in a classic European encounter that could have gone either way. Still, failure to win their home tournament will sting for some time. Spain, meanwhile, can look ahead to another European Championship semi-final.