Espanyol vs Athletic and the VAR Handball Debate
Braithwaite drew level before halftime, only to see the goal ruled out after a VAR review flagged a voluntary handball by the Galician striker. The decision added another chapter to La Liga’s ongoing conversations about officiating and technology. The incident occurred as the first leg of the matchweek 28 clash between Espanyol and Athletic Bilbao reached its closing minutes, turning a potential equalizer into a talking point that would reverberate through the week.
In summary, Espanyol Atheltic: what happened? At the 45th minute, a neat Joselu pass found Braithwaite, who finished clinically to make it 1-1 just before the break. Yet Munuera Montero halted the celebrations after a VAR review indicated Braithwaite committed a voluntary handball. The action, viewed by many as ambiguous, produced a disallowed goal and left Athletic trailing by a single goal at halftime on Espanyol’s turf.
The debate around hands in La Liga reemerged with intense scrutiny. Braithwaite’s equalizer was wiped out due to what some call an involuntary touch, others describe as a clear incident of ball-to-hand that should have been penalized. Social and media coverage amplified the controversy, with posts and clips underscoring the moment and provoking a wave of opinions from fans and pundits alike.
An illustrative voice from the night came from former referee Eduardo Iturralde, who discussed the matter on a popular radio program. He argued that the hand contact was obvious but not punishable in that specific action, suggesting it should have stood as a goal because the touch was accidental. On the video, Joselu can be heard reacting to the moment, questioning the referee, asking if his arm movement had created an unfair advantage. The tension was palpable as the stadium lights shone on a decision that felt both technical and intensely personal for the players involved.
Source: Goal