54 BRACHI Webb

 

Brazil ran out comfortable three-nothing winners in the big South American derby game against Chile, to earn a place in the World Cup quarterfinal. Two first half goals in the space of five minutes, won the day for Brazil, who deserved beat a young Chile team, who played well themselves, but ultimately came out second best. 

All eyes were on the match officials for this big Monday night match after the black Sunday (GERENG - ARGMEX) that had proceeded it. Under high pressure, referee Howard Webb's English trio refereed the game fantastically, with Webb showing what it is to really manage a game on the highest level.

In truth, the only mistake he really made all evening was not to give Brazil a penalty at 27' - given that the ball dropped where it did from the corner, it was very tricky for Webb to really see it (AR Darren Cann?), but Lúcio was definitely felled by Pablo Contreras' trapping challenge. A penalty kick should have been awarded (crucial mistake).

Contrary to the Slovakia - Italy match, where the Englishman stayed in the background, he was extremely proactive with his presence in this match, sending clear signals to the players (eg. 37', 39'). Webb simply bossed this game. This was made possible by not only his excellent inter-personal skills, but high level of physical fitness too.

I actually had the feeling that the players didn't respond to Webb in necessarily the most optimal way (eg. 8'), but it would be naïve in my view to see this as a failure by him; the English referee's intention, I think, was simply to show them he was (always) there. Though, Webb knew when it was important to actually talk to - not at - the players, calming Lúcio after his irritation at being charged (25'), was top drawer. 

Perhaps the only small point for improvement would be using the no more (cutting the grass) gesture, more sparingly - having warned Gilberto Silva with it early, technically after later fouls he should really have been cautioned (51', 64'). But actually, the point is not actually what Webb was signalling itself, so much as he was taking the initiative in the game. 

Before Brazil's third goal, Webb had been consistent (high technical accuracy, eg. 29') in his generous line regarding fouls, and correctly felt the two optimal moments to issue cautions (30', 47'). Perhaps, a law enforcer might have done it differently - card straight away in at 30', no SPA in 47' - but for my money Webb's approach was optimal.

After the third goal, Webb brilliantly changed his tactic to whistle more pedantically (eg. 61', 65', 79'), paying attention to keeping the Chile players' frustration to a minimum. That must have been very long half-an-hour for the Englishman, as he very closely followed play, knowing that one bit of red mist could endanger what so far had been an excellent evening for him. 

A well-seen striking card at 68' was very tactically valuable (reckless at 71', SPA at 80' simply correct), and one did wonder with some duels at 88' what was going to happen next, but in the end Webb got through it all. Two minutes of additional time at the end perhaps told its' own story, and both Brazil and the officials could crown a successful evening.

Assistants: very strong performances from Darren Cann (38') and Mike Mullarkey (74', 76'). FIFA got the jitters after Stefano Ayroldi's mistake, and both Webb's teammates can only have increased the English teams' arguments for even further appointments. 

Balance

This game was brilliantly officiated. Howard Webb delivered this South American derby, with the eyes of the watching world keenly trained on the referees, in a very, very good manner. His approach was perfectly judged, and besides missing a penalty (not important medially, for whatever reason), he was actually flawless. 

Together with his assistant referees - Cann and Mullarkey - Webb's trio savoured FIFA's trust on the very highest level. With more internationally experienced referees faltering (through their own faults or otherwise), it seemed the English officials' chances of getting even the final itself, were ever increasing. 

Howard Webb - 7,9(6) Darren Cann - 8,5 Mike Mullarkey - 8,5 Martin Hansson Stefan Wittberg ENG – SWE	Brazil 3-0 Chile Round of Sixteen 28 June
Kaká (30') - Tackle Ramires (71') - Tackle	Vidal (47') - SPA (Impeding) Fuentes (68') - Striking Millar (80') - SPA (Holding)