VAR intervention gives Spain lead after Lukas Ambros handball in Prague

Spain were awarded a controversial penalty after Czech Republic midfielder Lukas Ambros appeared to control a high ball with his arm in the Nations League meeting in Prague.

The incident initially went unnoticed, but the video assistant referee asked Montenegro official Nikola Dabanovic to review the footage. After watching the replay, Dabanovic pointed to the spot.

Alex Baena made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put Spain ahead and punish a mistake that left the Czech Republic facing another difficult night in the competition.

The ball struck Ambros near the elbow as he attempted to bring it under control and move it away from danger. Rather than being an accidental deflection, the replay showed the midfielder using his arm to reduce the ball’s momentum inside the penalty area.

The match between Czech Republic and Spain is being played in the Czech capital on Thursday in the top tier of the Nations League. On paper, the contest appeared heavily weighted in favour of the visitors, although the opening stages produced both controversy and excitement.

Spain had already secured their place in the quarter-finals after remaining unbeaten in all four group matches. They had taken a maximum 12 points and were looking to continue an exceptional period that has also included their historic triumph at the 2026 World Cup.

La Roja are regarded as the leading contenders to win the Nations League title in June. Adding that trophy would further underline their status as the dominant force in world football, after their success in Qatar wait no, source doesn’t say locations. Do not add.

The Czech Republic, by contrast, had already been eliminated before the game and still had two matches to play. They had not won in Group Three of the top tier and had failed to collect a single point, leaving them at risk of relegation to the second tier.

Their poor campaign has come under the management of Santi Denia, with the side unable to secure the results required to remain among Europe’s leading nations. Ambros’s handball became a symbol of their struggles as they tried to withstand pressure from the world champions.

Although the referee initially allowed play to continue, the VAR review highlighted both the contact and the advantage gained from it. Once the footage had been examined, Dabanovic awarded the penalty, leaving little scope for further argument.

Baena then converted with confidence, giving Spain the lead and dealing a significant blow to the Czech Republic’s hopes of earning a positive result in front of their home supporters.

The goal also demonstrated Spain’s efficiency. The European side needed only one major error to take control, having already shown through their perfect record that they can make opponents pay for lapses in concentration.

For the Czech Republic, the result added to growing concerns about a possible drop into the second tier. For Spain, Baena’s penalty provided another step towards an additional trophy and extended a campaign in which they have so far combined results with ruthless finishing.