58 URUGHA Benquerença
No match in 2010 even comes close to rivalling this one's utterly thrilling narrative - Ghana trying to become the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup semifinal, in Africa's World Cup no less, pitted against gritty Uruguay, a team whose worth was greater than the sum of it's parts.
A match of high technical quality perhaps not, but two rather famous goals had us level going into the last seconds - before fate cast an ultimate pantomime villain, Luis Suárez, to handle the ball on the goalline, and the pinnacle of a figure who would become tragic, Asamoah Gyan, to miss a penalty with the last kick of the game.
Fernando Muslera's dive, incorrectly predicting the ball would go to his right, summed up this moment so brilliantly - all Gyan had to do (I write from the comfort of my office) was strike his penalty a little bit lower, to forever be remembered in heroic terms. He struck the crossbar, and the picturebook fairytale moment had evaporated into the chilly Johannesburg night.
Gyan courageously took another one in the penalty competition, scoring as well, but two of his teammates failed; Sebastián Abreu calmly chipped the ball in, and Uruguay had done it against, if not the odds, certainly against the wishes of the watching world. Africa's moment had so agonisingly passed. It was Uruguay, who would face the Netherlands in the first semifinal.
Fernando Muslera's dive, incorrectly predicting the ball would go to his right, summed up this moment so brilliantly - all Gyan had to do (I write from the comfort of my office) was strike his penalty a little bit lower, to forever be remembered in heroic terms. He struck the crossbar, and the picturebook fairytale moment had evaporated into the chilly Johannesburg night.
Gyan courageously took another one in the penalty competition, scoring as well, but two of his teammates failed; Sebastián Abreu calmly chipped the ball in, and Uruguay had done it against, if not the odds, certainly against the wishes of the watching world. Africa's moment had so agonisingly passed. It was Uruguay, who would face the Netherlands in the first semifinal.
The man who refereed this match was not FIFA's first choice - the Uruguayan association had rejected Howard Webb for fear of retribution after what happened before; it does make me laugh that people genuinely see refereeing like this.
It was Olegário Benquerença who deputised, after a certainly very interesting group stage (JPNCMR - NGAKOR), the Portuguese ref was entrusted with this real top clash, having not really been planned for it. I'd argue he deserved his, his group stage if nothing else was certainly very interesting.
Benquerença could stand tall after this one. Most importantly - he got that decision right, with the help of his AR José Cardinal - penalty, and Suárez off. For the rest, he showed to be a high class official, and repaid FIFA's trust in him for this uniquely huge game; actually, I'd argue he was the perfect name, as it happened.
Lots to analyse here! Let's start with the rather high number of crucial incidents that Benquerença had to face.
Key Match Incidents
(for ease of reading I have linked to the FIFA YouTube full match record in these situations)
Benquerença decided to play on in this rather untidy scene - incorrectly so, Edinson Cavani was clearly tripped by Vorsah after his failed attempt to kick the ball, just outside the penalty area.
It is a very tight situation with regards to DOGSO - in principle, I would say it should result in a dismissal even; but, given that Vorsah had 'won the position' and Cavani at that moment didn't have control of the ball, I recommend giving a freekick and a yellow card only.
The messy nature of it meant that the Portuguese ref didn't want to touch it with a bargepole - probably sensibly so.
Another messy situation. Kevin-Prince Boateng is actually tripped by one of three Uruguayan players in a penalty area gaggle, but the situation is not so simple as that.
Boateng already engages in a mutually excessive holding with Ignacio González, before Diego Pérez actually trips him, causing him to fully lose his balance, having already been stumbling. Because of that, Boateng falls over Andrés Scotti's challenge, in a way that isolatedly might look like a dive.
To me, the most theoretically right solution is a penalty for the trip, but given everything, simply playing on and not attracting any further attention to the situation was apt.
Boateng already engages in a mutually excessive holding with Ignacio González, before Diego Pérez actually trips him, causing him to fully lose his balance, having already been stumbling. Because of that, Boateng falls over Andrés Scotti's challenge, in a way that isolatedly might look like a dive.
To me, the most theoretically right solution is a penalty for the trip, but given everything, simply playing on and not attracting any further attention to the situation was apt.
98' - Potential penalty for Ghana
Yet another messy one! Asamoah Gyan's shot is blocked by Andrés Scotti, but due to the two's close proximity, the ball bounces back into Gyan's potential control. Then, Scotti trips him up with a sliding tackle that isolatedly, would be a clear foul.
Once more - on a theoretical level, Scotti's action is more of a foul than not, but in reality, it was better to assess the contact as a result of the fair block of the ball. Benquerença played on.
Yet another messy one! Asamoah Gyan's shot is blocked by Andrés Scotti, but due to the two's close proximity, the ball bounces back into Gyan's potential control. Then, Scotti trips him up with a sliding tackle that isolatedly, would be a clear foul.
Once more - on a theoretical level, Scotti's action is more of a foul than not, but in reality, it was better to assess the contact as a result of the fair block of the ball. Benquerença played on.
Note that Luis Suárez didn't increase his credentials for any potential fair play there :)
103' - Potential penalty to Uruguay
You guessed it, another messy call.
Perhaps this is the trickiest situation in which to back Benquerença - John Paintsil with his leg deliberately impedes Sebastián Abreu to prevent him from reaching the ball. Paintsil - in order to muddy the waters - manages to very effectively make it look six of one, half a dozen of another, by falling himself and giving the appearance of a mere unfortunate collision.
You guessed it, another messy call.
Perhaps this is the trickiest situation in which to back Benquerença - John Paintsil with his leg deliberately impedes Sebastián Abreu to prevent him from reaching the ball. Paintsil - in order to muddy the waters - manages to very effectively make it look six of one, half a dozen of another, by falling himself and giving the appearance of a mere unfortunate collision.
The ref's gesture ("both get up") shows that Paintsil succeeded. However, I really don't think any referee at the tournament would have given a penalty in this situation, and it would be unreasonable to expect Benquerença to do so, not least given the match context.
An incident that is worthy of dealing with on it's own - I would be 99% sure that José Cardinal has gotten this right. Jorge Fucile gets too close to Dominic Adiyiah, eventually tripping him up. Especially with no replays, one should certainly back Cardinal.
One of the most momentous decisions ever taken in a FIFA World Cup match. Simultaneously giving a penalty and a red card, in the last minute, in the knockout stages no less, but especially for what it meant besides. If scored, Ghana would have become the first African nation to qualify for a World Cup semifinal.
Remarkably - Olegário Benquerença didn't see Suárez's handball! Only on the shout (and the flag) of his assistant José Cardinal was the decision taken. The referee was screened, and you can hear his slightly delayed whistle, enough time for Cardinal (who had already correctly assessed Stephen Appiah as passive offside (not interfering; deliberate play by Muslera) on two counts), shout in the comms.
Remarkably - Olegário Benquerença didn't see Suárez's handball! Only on the shout (and the flag) of his assistant José Cardinal was the decision taken. The referee was screened, and you can hear his slightly delayed whistle, enough time for Cardinal (who had already correctly assessed Stephen Appiah as passive offside (not interfering; deliberate play by Muslera) on two counts), shout in the comms.
This handling wasn't that obvious, the three British commentators on the game missed it live; thank heavens that the assistant referee had a free line of sight to it... The stress of that moment must have been extreme for the officials. José Cardinal holds his nerve to correctly perceive the perpetrator of the handling, Luis Suárez, who was shown the red card; well done (+ 0,1).
The panic of the incident is lost on the watching world by chance - Benquerença already had his whistle in his mouth, ready to blow and end the match, once the ball was cleared away (of course, it wasn't). A very small detail - he had switched from using the Adidas lanyard as he used before at the start of the World Cup. Were it not for that, the watching world would probably have realised how frantic this all was for the Portuguese trio.
A seemingly simple decision, one that the officials simply had to get right, and did.
(note the two karaté kicks, worthy of red cards, and Mensah's dissent which theoretically was a clear SYC; so Benquerença could have had as many as four players off if he so wished :))
Approach
Olegário Benquerença was charged with navigating a match which was for the two playing teams 'their World Cup final' - who were, in their own ways, rather difficult to officiate. Ultimately the Portuguese ref succeeded, a quite impressive feat.
He was most in trouble during the first half - he couldn't really keep the (Uruguay) players calm with his officiating. They were often fouled in a careless manner from behind whilst trying to attack (eg. on Suárez 22', 40'), and yet the only caution was for one of their players, Jorge Fucile's reckless foul after advantage (20').
This came to a head in the Vorsah-Suárez scene at 41' where both (seemed to) commit potential violent conducts. Benquerença's solution to very publicly pull them out and warn them together was a good one, even if it had somewhat limited resonance with the players themselves.
Where Benquerença definitely succeeded was in his manner - how he dealt with Gyan's dissents (11', 13') was really good, and he earned respect in his dealings with the players. He asserted his authority, but didn't antagonise the players anymore than necessary, with his determined and calming presence.
He was most in trouble during the first half - he couldn't really keep the (Uruguay) players calm with his officiating. They were often fouled in a careless manner from behind whilst trying to attack (eg. on Suárez 22', 40'), and yet the only caution was for one of their players, Jorge Fucile's reckless foul after advantage (20').
This came to a head in the Vorsah-Suárez scene at 41' where both (seemed to) commit potential violent conducts. Benquerença's solution to very publicly pull them out and warn them together was a good one, even if it had somewhat limited resonance with the players themselves.
Where Benquerença definitely succeeded was in his manner - how he dealt with Gyan's dissents (11', 13') was really good, and he earned respect in his dealings with the players. He asserted his authority, but didn't antagonise the players anymore than necessary, with his determined and calming presence.
He seemed a bit over his head at 48' - denying a clear advantage to give a tactically valuable caution, when everyone would have been happy playing on and then a following quiet word for Egidio Arévalo Ríos when the ball next went out. In my opinion, this sort of thing should really be avoided at the World Cup, which is about football, not the referees!
The other cards issued in the second half were really good - tackle (arguably careless, balancing very good call); a clearly reckless tackle, and a SPA holding (you can argue the promising bit, but a very good call in my opinion). Well played.
In extra time, his previously strong manner became much more supercilious and top-down - perhaps John Mensah used words out of turn, but his caution for dissent at 93' seemed rather avoidable and even slightly lazy (compare to excellently solving the Gyan scenes: 11', 13'). This was visible a couple of other times too, at +106' (potential SYC for Pérez?) and 120'.
In extra time, his previously strong manner became much more supercilious and top-down - perhaps John Mensah used words out of turn, but his caution for dissent at 93' seemed rather avoidable and even slightly lazy (compare to excellently solving the Gyan scenes: 11', 13'). This was visible a couple of other times too, at +106' (potential SYC for Pérez?) and 120'.
In the final analysis, Benquerença should be praised for this performance - he guided the players, with empathy, through the biggest games of their careers effectively with his approach. Portuguese ref also displayed a textbook bit of FIFA self-preservation, without crossing a certain line. Perfect? No, but without doubt he showed to be a true high class official in this game.
Assistants: both José Cardinal at 58' (reverse crossover) and Benito Miranda at 65' (didn't perceive the defender nearest to him) made important mistakes (- 0,2). Besides that, good.
Balance
Given that FIFA didn't originally have Olegário Benquerença down for a knockout game, the Portuguese ref should be really chuffed with his performance here. He got the Suárez handling call spot on (with the help of José Cardinal), and managed the rest of the game well. The watching world were certainly not discussing the match officials after this match!
As it happened, this was Benquerença's last ever major tournament inset. He was a bit unlucky that another top official from his country happened to be in his generation. Benquerença had his flaws, but personally I am glad that this idiosyncratic man and his style had the chance to officiate at a World Cup. I miss such unique presences on the pitch nowadays!
As it happened, this was Benquerença's last ever major tournament inset. He was a bit unlucky that another top official from his country happened to be in his generation. Benquerença had his flaws, but personally I am glad that this idiosyncratic man and his style had the chance to officiate at a World Cup. I miss such unique presences on the pitch nowadays!
For me anyway, in all three of his World Cup matches, Olegário Benquerença gave me some fantastic refereeing memories. He should be really proud of what he achieved at this tournament, and his career as a whole.
| Olegário Benquerença - 8,5 José Cardinal - 8,3 Bertino Miranda - 8,2 Alberto Undiano Mallenco Fermin Martínez Ibáñez POR – ESP | Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (aet, Uruguay win 4-2 in a penalty competition) Quarterfinal 2 June |
 Fucile (20') - Tackle Arévalo Ríos (48') - SPA (Impeding) Pérez (59') - Tackle | Paintsil (54') - Tackle Sarpei (76') - SPA (Holding) Mensah (93') - Dissent |
 Suárez (+121') - DOGSO (Handling) |
Same as you, I was very impressed with Benquerenca's performance in this match.
ReplyDeleteSorry if I do not remember details from 10 years ago: was it public information at the time, that Benquerenca replaced Webb or that info comes from somewhere else?
The famous scene at 120': are you sure that Benquerenca delayed his whistle because he did not see the handball or was it delayed deliberately by him?
Finally, did Benquerenca remained within the refereeing world after he ended his career or left completely?
- There were lots of media reports that Webb was removed, but FIFA publicly denied them; they in fact were correct, and the English trio were indeed replaced. (Uruguayan association actually did Webb a favour with that, as I'll explain in the PARESP report)
Delete- If you look closely on one of the wide replays, you can see Benquerença with the whistle in his mouth long before the Suárez handling; also all the commentators in the stadium report Cardinal very aggressively indicating the offence with his flag.
You can also see Benquerença looking out to Cardinal very briefly, which he wouldn't do having detected the handling himself.
- Yes, Benquerença is totally out to my knowledge (even on the most local level). In an interview, he says that he doesn't take much interest in football at all anymore.
Thanks for the comment!
If reports were true, I agree with you that Uruguay made a huge favour to Webb, giving him the final!
DeleteToo bad we cannot see AR Cardinal in the image. I am unsure between an AR call and a deliberately delayed decision by Benquerenca, probably looking for confirmation that what he saw actually happened.
Maybe Benquerenca went back to singing? :)
I agree about the 'multiple RCs' in 120'! I think that it was 'easier' from Benquerença's position to call one of the 2 simultaneous karate kicks by Andrés Scotti and Mauricio Victorino on Dominic Adiyiah than the Luis Suárez handball itself :D
ReplyDeleteVery good performance by the Portuguese crew.