We all thought this would be a close physical game. It was definitely physical but not so close!
The penalty awarded to Spain in the first half was a good decision. It was an honest attempt by the De Vrij to get the ball but Costa turned him then jumped out the way of the challenge, as he landed Dutch player slid into him bringing him down.
Where I would like to give the referee credit is how he dealt with an off the call incident that he didn’t see. Replays show Diego Costa moving his head toward Martins Indi, although the contact was minimal had the referee seen it I’m sure he would have sent Spain player off.
When this type of thing happens it can be difficult for the referee to deal with. The difference between amateur referees and the professionals is the pros have radio communications. But if the nearest assistant hasn’t seen it then you have angry player to calm down as you explain no one saw him receiving a head butt!
The only way to deal with this is to reassure the player that had you seen it, you would be sending the player off and offer further assurance that you will keep an eye on that player for the rest of the fans to watch out for his off the ball antics.
Referees are aware that off the ball incidents happen all the time. But if it’s not seen or heard then it can’t be dealt with. Stepping on toes, pinching, pushing/pulling, grabbing shirts are a number of things that go on in the box during set pieces but players are cleaver in the way they do it so the officials can’t see it but see the player reacting.
But the referee took his time in explaining his view and the Dutch player seemed to be calm afterwards and that was the end of it. Sometimes it can bit tit for tat until someone is sent off so for that to be avoided was good refereeing.
Ref rating 8/10
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