Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett has weighed in on the controversial goal scored by Djed Spence during Argentina's recent match, questioning whether it should have counted. The incident occurred on July 14, 2026, in a Copa América semifinal between Argentina and Uruguay, where Spence's 67th-minute strike gave Argentina a 1-0 lead. Hackett, speaking to Daily Mail, noted that replays showed Spence may have been in an offside position when the ball was played, and there was also a potential foul on Uruguay defender José María Giménez in the buildup.
Hackett stated, 'From the footage, it appears Spence was marginally offside when the pass was made. Additionally, there was contact with Giménez that could have been considered a foul. In my view, the goal should have been disallowed.' The match referee, Wilton Sampaio, allowed the goal after consulting with VAR, which upheld the on-field decision. Argentina went on to win 1-0, advancing to the final against Brazil.
The controversy has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many calling for VAR protocols to be reviewed. FIFA has not commented on the incident, but the Argentine Football Association defended the goal, stating that VAR confirmed the decision. Spence, who was born in England but represents Argentina through his mother, has been a key player for the team in the tournament.
