Why Rodri was not sent off by VAR for cynical foul in Spain's Euro 2024 win

Rodri was fortunate to escape a red card against Croatia for a cynical foul (Picture: Getty)

Football fans were left scratching their heads after Spain star Rodri somehow avoided a red card during Spain’s Euro 2024 win over Croatia.

La Roja opened their campaign with a hugely impressive win against a nation who have regularly reached the latter stages of major tournaments in recent years.

Alvaro Morata set La Roja on their way with a goal just before the half hour mark and the game was as good as over when Fabian Ruiz doubled the advantage three minutes later.

Dani Carvajal prodded home Spain’s third goal on the stroke of half-time which ensured the second period was something of a formality.

Croatia did threaten to drag themselves back into the contest when they earned a penalty with 10 minutes remaining after Bruno Petkovic was felled with the entire goal at his mercy just seven yards out.

Referee Michael Oliver stunned viewers when he brandished only a yellow card in the direction of the Manchester City linchpin, for what appeared to be a clear ‘professional foul’.

Oliver’s decision was reviewed and upheld by VAR Stuart Atwell who deemed his compatriot had followed the recently updated IFAB rules.

Rodri was lucky not to have been sent off for a foul on Bruno Petkovic (Picture: Getty)

Football’s law makers do not like red cards to be awarded if it is deemed a player has made a natural attempt to win the ball, regardless of whether or not it denies a clear goalscoring opportunity.

As recently as two seasons ago, Rodri’s challenge would almost certainly have resulted in him being given his marching orders and subsequently missing Spain’s next two games.

Under the new, more lenient rules, however, it would take only the most cynical of challenges for a team to suffer the double jeopardy of a penalty being given and a red card awarded for one offence.

Croatia’s frustration, meanwhile, was compounded when Unai Simon saved Petkovic’s penalty, before his subsequent successful follow-up was ruled out as a result of one of his teammates encroaching as he ran up to take his spot kick.