Match #31 Croatia : Scotland Tuesday, 22 June 2021 20:00 local time (15:00 EDT) Glasgow Referee: Fernando Andres Rapallini (ARG) AR1: Juan Pablo Belatti (ARG) AR2: Diego Yamil Bonfa (ARG) Fourth Official: Bartosz Frankowski (POL) Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernández (ESP) AVAR 1: José María Sánchez (ESP) AVAR 2: Iñigo Prieto (ESP) AVAR 3: Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP)
Well, Rapallini's next match just got very interesting - he has himself an "all or nothing" game. After today's games confirmed at least two 3rd-place sides with only 3 points, this game takes on huge significance. A draw eliminates both sides, but a win for either of them guarantees at least a last-16 slot. Could be fun for him. I wish him well!
Does a draw necessarily eliminate Croatia? They would be in third and tied with Ukraine on goal differential. They are behind in goals, so would need a 3-3 tie to get to the next tie breaker or a 4-4 tie to pass Croatia, right? (Not that those are plausible, but aren't they possible? Or am I missing something?) EDIT: Oh, never mind. 1 + 1 = 2 not 3 . . . .
First caution at 26' for Lovren was weird. I think it's one everyone expects and definitely gets given by a CONMEBOL referee, but the actual contact wasn't terrible and the action was the clear the ball--not kick an opponent--he just got surprised at the last second. Worth watching if anyone has the time. In the end, I think you create more problems for yourself if you don't give it, but I could also argue it was only technically careless.
Reckless. Defender A is out on the right wing and was trying to clear a ball played back to him by Defender B. But the attacker who was coming back from having challenged the goalkeer (who had previously played the ball to Defender B), surprised him from the blind side, nicking the ball first toward the touch line. Ball was likely going out of play before the attacker got it but, even if not, his back would have been to goal with no support. I'm making more of this than I should. Lovren immediately accepted the yellow. It really was the only rational decision. But the theoretical argument for "actually, that's not misconduct" is pretty sound.
I went back and found it and have no idea what play I was thinking about when I asked about SPA, as it sure wasn't that one . . . .
This is the referee from the referee exchange with CONMEBOL, yes? I'm curious to know more about these exchanges. This is a relatively consequential game - is that somewhat guaranteed for the visiting referee to make their travel worthwhile? Is CONMEBOL the only confederation participating at the EUROs?