Marc Cucurella was greeted with a standing ovation from Real Madrid supporters but also with a chorus of boos from RB Leipzig fans when he came on during the 4-1 victory over the German side.
The reaction appeared puzzling because the Spanish defender had never faced Leipzig before, but the hostility can be traced back to Spain’s controversial Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany.
Notably, Cucurella replaced Carreras in the 70th minute, drawing applause from the home crowd at the Bernabeu.
Leipzig’s travelling supporters, however, responded differently, reviving memories of an incident that remains contentious among German football fans.
Cucurella’s Euro 2024 handball incident explains the boos
The hostility dates back to the European Championship quarter-final between Spain and Germany, played on German soil in 2024.
Spain won 2-1 to reach the semi-finals, but one incident involving Cucurella became a major talking point.
During the match, Germany appealed for a penalty after a shot from Toni Kroos struck Cucurella’s arm inside the penalty area.
The referee did not award a spot-kick, leaving German players and supporters frustrated with the decision.
The incident became one of the defining controversies of Spain’s run through the tournament.
Marc Cucurella was booed by the Leipzig fans. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Although Spain ultimately went on to win the European Championship, the disputed penalty appeal remained a source of anger among some German supporters.
Leipzig supporters revive Germany’s frustration at the Bernabeu
Cucurella’s appearance against Leipzig offered a reminder that the controversy had not been forgotten by everyone.
The boos from the away section suggested that some German fans still associate the defender with the quarter-final decision, despite his having no previous history against the Bundesliga club.
The reaction at the Bernabeu therefore had little to do with the Real Madrid-Leipzig contest itself. Instead, it showed lingering frustration from an international match played more than two years earlier.