Dejan Lovren left bemused by penalty decision 

The moment Lovren and Schick clash 

Croatia defender was left bemused after Spanish referee Carlos del Cerro Grande awarded a penalty to the Czech Republic in today’s 1-1 draw. 

Lovren caught Patrik Schick in the nose with his elbow when going for the ball from a corner in the 37th minute. Initially not seen by del Cerro Grande, after viewing the VAR he ruled that the Croatian had fouled the Czech striker and pointed to the spot. 

After the match, a disappointed Lovren gave his version of events.

“Regarding the penalty, how could you not be disappointed with the decision. I didn’t see Schick at all and I went for the ball,” Lovren said, explaining that he jumped how he always does. 

“That was my natural jumping style, how can you jump like a flower without using your arms? The ref didn’t even see it and if it was not for VAR it would not be a penalty. It is what is it is, what can I do now,” he said. 

BBC pundit and former England international Gary Lineker agreed with the former Liverpool defender that it was not a penalty. 

“Encouraging to see that VAR is equally as ludicrous elsewhere. Never a penalty,” Lineker said. 

Encouraging to see that VAR is equally as ludicrous elsewhere. Never a penalty.

— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 18, 2021

Lovren says that his side will have to be much better against Scotland in their last match, but he has faith.

“In the first half we were not on our level, we had to regroup and showed more in the second half but still not enough, some things are not clicking. We have one more game, we have to give it our all, it is in our hands and I believe in this team,” he concluded.