Cucurella met by Schalke jeers as disputed Euro 2024 incident resurfaces

Marc Cucurella was subjected to a hostile reception from Schalke supporters during his first appearance for Real Madrid, with the Spanish defender booed when he came on in the clubs’ friendly at VELTINS-Arena.

The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Real Madrid, but the loudest reaction from the home crowd came in the 61st minute. Cucurella entered the game as a substitute for Alvaro Carreras and was immediately met by sustained whistles from the Schalke fans.

The response was linked to a controversial incident from the Euro 2024 quarter-final between Spain and Germany. Spain won that match 2-1, although Germany had appealed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Cucurella’s hand inside Spain’s penalty area.

Anthony Taylor, who refereed the game, decided not to award a spot-kick. Cucurella, now a Real Madrid full-back, was the Germany player supporters remembered when he stepped on to the pitch in Gelsenkirchen.

However, the circumstances surrounding the incident were more complicated than the reaction from the stands suggested. A report by Defensa Central noted that the move had already involved a possible offence by Germany before Jamal Musiala’s shot.

The ball struck Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug’s triceps immediately before Musiala attempted to finish the attack. That contact was considered an earlier infringement in Spain’s favour, although it has often been overlooked when the disputed handball involving Cucurella is discussed.

UEFA’s referees’ committee later acknowledged that Cucurella’s handball against Germany should have resulted in a penalty. The decision not to award one remains one of the most debated moments from the quarter-final, and it was enough to prompt the Schalke crowd to target the defender during the friendly.

Cucurella’s first appearance for Real Madrid was also delayed for another reason. Because of the World Cup won by Spain, he had to extend his holiday and did not report for training at Valdebebas until the beginning of this week.

That late return meant his debut for the Madrid club was postponed. His introduction against Schalke therefore marked his first outing for Real Madrid, but it was overshadowed by a reaction rooted in an international match played in 2024.

Despite the reception for Cucurella, Real Madrid completed a comfortable win, finishing the friendly with three unanswered goals. The contest provided the Spanish defender with his long-awaited first minutes for his new club, while also reviving memories of an incident Germany’s supporters have not forgotten.