First of all, being in their group, I can tell you that Ecuador played a lot better than their record indicates. They were a definite threat throughout the group stages. Unfortunately, late in their game against France, Antonio Valencia was sent off for a studs up challenge on Lucas Digne. You can see it on Fansided (which is where the below images
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I only covered two matches today. If you watched the other matches, feel free to leave your thoughts on the referees below. Nicola Rizzoli (Italy), Nigeria v. Argentina Yes, I have an enormous schoolgirl crush on Nicola Rizzoli (above), but these are the days when he reminds us of what a great referee he is. His fitness was great, allowing
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These appointments came quite late compared to the other appointments, which usually came early in the morning two days before the match was played. The one other exception: Brazil’s second match against Mexico. Officials had been accused of favoritism in Brazil’s first game, including a soft penalty, and had disallowed two onside goals for Mexico. Cuneyt Cakir was announced for
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I’m sort of getting sick of playing this game, but I’m tired of arguing about it in comments, so here we go: Yet another edition of “Penalty or Not?” This is the penalty shout for Russia’s Kanunnikov against the Belgian who’s name I’m sicking of looking up for spelling. Kanunnikov had stepped on the ball before contact was made. If
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Today, we saw arguably the best refereeing performance of the World Cup so far … and arguably the worst. Milorad Mazic (SRB), Argentina v. Iran FIFA really loves Mazic (above), that much is clear. I think he’s usually a pretty good referee, but I haven’t been quite so enamoured of him as they are. He was a bit hit or
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Saturday’s games will feature two repeat referees and one we have only seen as a fourth official: New Zealand’s dreamy Peter O’Leary. Argentina and Iran have Milorad Mazic. The Serb is very well thought-of around FIFA, though I thought his original outing (Germany v. Portugal) was rather hit or miss. One of the best referees I’ve seen in the tournament
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Yay! Switzerland get Bjorn Kuipers!! When my Suisse play France on Friday, we’ll have the very best in the middle. Kuipers (above), a supermarket owner from the Netherlands, put on a masterclass in his inaugural game: England v. Italy. He’s a “by the book” kind of referee, but we’re a “by the book” kind of team, so that should work out
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Have you noticed that weird-ass board the fourth officials are holding up to note substitutions and added time? Well, that’s the biggest piece of product placement you’ll ever see. Yes, luxury watch maker Hublot bought the game board. Not only does it say ‘HUBLOT’ in giant letters, as it has in the past, but it’s actually shaped like the original
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So, very few sane people argue Pepe’s red card in Germany v. Portugal. But shouldn’t Muller have seen yellow for his play acting after Pepe’s initial smack to the upper body? In short, no. The big myth amongst football fans is that this kind of dramatic exaggeration – designed to call a referee’s attention to a transgression – is simulation,
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Over a week into the tournament, we finally get our first glimpse at England’s Howard Webb (above). I wouldn’t even call it a showpiece, pitting as it does Colombia against Cote D’Ivoire. The biggest game of the day (which Webb could obviously not take) would probably be Uruguay v. England. Uruguay pretty much must win to have a chance at
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PLAY THE ADVANTAGE 