Ex-Prem referee Mark Halsey fumes Spain goal SHOULD have stood in World Cup final with tread not enough for a foul

FORMER Premier League referee Mark Halsey slammed the decision to rule out Spain winger Nico Williams’ extra-time strike in the World Cup final. But La Roja still had the last laugh as they notched a 1-0 win over Argentina. Nico Williams’ goal was controversially ruled out Credit: Reuters Mark Halsey feels it was the wrong decision Credit: AFP Spain thought they had taken the lead when Williams, 24, stabbed the ball home from close range in the first half of extra-time. The Athletic Bilbao talisman wheeled away in celebration before realising referee Slavko Vincic had come to Argentina’s rescue. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The Slovenian official disallowed the goal and awarded the South American giants a free-kick after Nicolas Otamendi went down in the build-up. Replays showed the former Manchester City defender’s foot was stood on by Arsenal favourite Mikel Merino. But SunSport ref expert Halsey, 65, hit out at the controversial call and reckons Spain were hard done by. He said: “I’m sorry, that’s not a foul for me. He’s bought that with the way he’s thrown himself up in the air and the referee’s given a free-kick. “Why on earth doesn’t VAR look at that, check it properly and recommend a review? For me, that’s no foul, and it should have been a goal for Spain.” Argentina’s luck did not last much longer because Ferran Torres went on to bag a 106th minute winner. Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS Mikel Merino was adjudged to have fouled Nicolas Otamendi Credit: Getty It allowed Spain to get their hands on the World Cup for a second time – having also emerged victorious in 2010. They took advantage of Argentina playing all of extra-time with ten men following Enzo Fernandez’s red card. Halsey reckons the Chelsea midfielder deserved to be sent off for a wild challenge on Pau Cubarsi when he had already been booked. He added: “Enzo Fernandez was correctly sent off for two yellow cards. The first yellow card was for dissent by action and absolutely spot on by Slavko Vincic. WORLD CUP FINAL LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM SPAIN VS ARGENTINA “Later on in the second half, there was a poor challenge. He was already on a yellow card, so why would you put in a challenge like that? “He was correctly sent off. I have no qualms whatsoever and the referee was strong in that situation.” 1 comment1