2012 UEFA European Football Championship (catch-all thread)

[Ron Obvious]

94. The Offside Law...

Croatia could absolutely have pinched it. Shortly before the Spanish goal, Corluca was pulled down by his arm in front of the Spanish goal, which looked like a nailed-on penalty to me. There was an incident in the first half also, which wasn't a penalty in my opinion, but I've seen them given.

To me, the Spanish goal looked offside as well. Navas was in an offside position when the ball was passed to Iniesta who was not. Iniesta than passed to Navas who was then in front of goal, but NOT then offside. I know the interpretations have changed a bit but for me, Navas gained an advantage from his offside position during the same phase of play. Had Iniesta scored directly, it would not have been offside, of course. On the other hand, had Iniesta attempted to score, hit the post, and Navas scored off the rebound, it WOULD have been offside because of his having gained an advantage from his offside position. I know that for a fact, because I remember referees explaining that to tv commentators after it happened some time ago. So I don't understand why Navas wasn't deemed offside. If he wasn't, what's the definition of "phase of play"?

In Croatia - Ireland game (I think?), Croatia scored from a blatant off-side position, but the goal was valid because the Croatian received the ball from a mis-hit Irish clearance, and thus a "new phase" was deemed to have begun. I can understand that one, but I can't understand the Navas goal.

It makes your head spin.