63 URUGER Archundia

 

Germany secured the bronze medals at World Cup 2010 with a three-two win against Uruguay in a third place playoff that some, tongue-in-cheekly, described as the most exciting match of the competition. The two nations drew the curtain on what had, on balance, been successful tournaments for them respectively.

Benito Archundia was in charge of the final he didn't want to get - his North American trio were probably favourites to handle the big finale before a whistle blown, only to ultimately miss out. Archundia was only one more Uruguay win away from receiving Match 64, having been saved for that after two group stage matches (ITAPAR - PORBRA). 

As Pierluigi Collina said of World Cup refereeing: "you do your best and somebody else decides if it's good enough". As compensation, Archundia was rewarded with an appointment as referee of the third place playoff, still a nice showpiece testament to a very long international career (FIFA since 1993!). 

A short review of how he and his teammates fared in the match:

Analysis

In a premonition to what would happen twenty-four hours later, Benito Archundia missed a crystal clear red card - brutal tackle, only punished by a caution (4'); Dennis Ayogo should have been sent off for his act of Serious Foul Play (crucial mistake). Archundia's rather zero angle didn't help, his fourth official could have helped him out there (as he did at 6'). 

Besides a missed yellow card for Diego Pérez (49') - and the ref got him for PI in the end - good performance with his characteristic football-focused style. Mexican ref deserves credit for fostering this exciting game with his officiating. 

Héctor Vergara still holds the record for World Cup matches as assistant (fourteen!), but in this one he made the biggest mistake of his three tournaments (2002 - 2006 - 2010). An important one at 39'; Edinson Cavani was clearly onside (- 0,2). 

He became only the second man, to my knowledge, to perform the same role in the World Cup third place playoff (Neji Jouini from Tunisia was reserve ref in 1990 and 1994). Really, the Canadian should have had a World Cup final in his palmarés - the biggest shame being in 2002, where FIFA simply lost their nerve, only his origin counted (decisively) against him.

It was a good evening for the other AR, Marvin Torrentera - his calls for offside at 4' and onside at 18' were both very important / crucial decisions, and he got them both right. Well done. 

The appointment of Marco Rodríguez as fourth official (his assistant José Luis Camargo joined him) was not really according to the performance principle, but to appease the Mexican association (FMF) after both Rosetti/Ayroldi's error, and then Archundia not getting the final itself. 

Rodríguez would return hoping to be third time lucky in 2014, with Torrentera, and not Camargo, at his side. 

Balance

Besides the missed red card, Benito Archundia did this game justice, even if he did miss out on the big appointment. Archundia must be very proud of what he achieved in his career; even if he didn't handle a World Cup final, his achievements were quite immense nonetheless. 

He was highly successful in two World Cups, but perhaps even more telling than that, Benito Archundia achieved something quite unique in football officiating. He is probably only joined by decorated names Puhl, Collina and Rizzoli in, by (even) people outside of officiating circles, being seen to stand for wider refereeing excellence. A remarkable feat! 

Benito Archundia - 7,9(4) Héctor Vergara - 8,2 Marvin Torrentera - 8,5 Marco Rodríguez José Luis Camargo MEX, CAN, MEX – MEX	Uruguay 2-3 Germany Third Place Playoff 10 July
Pérez (61') - Persistent Infringement	Aogo (5') - Tackle Cacau (7') - SPA (Handling) Friedrich (+92') - SPA (Holding)