8 ANGPOR Larrionda

Many expected the clash between World Cup debutants Angola and their former colonial power and football powerhouse Portugal to be a one-sided, high-scoring affair – and with Portugal creating a first excellent goal-scoring opportunity within seconds and opening the scoring in the fourth minute, it seemed that the Uruguayan trio led by Jorge Larrionda would be refereeing a rout at their own début. But the African side improved as the game continued and kept the score close against a Portuguese team lacking the final attacking intent.

With both teams focused on playing football, the Uruguayan referee could stay in the background, which he did. But what impressed me about Larrionda was how he still had some good management moments of the “blink and you miss it" category. While the World Cup had a flurry of DtR bookings, Larrionda was more lenient in this category, solved such incidents with small warnings early on and managed to ensure that such scenes were rare.

His good foul detection and clear, quick decisions helped him gain the respect of the players, coupled with a fair match it ensured full control. I would also like to single out a short talking to he gave to Cristiano Ronaldo as the young Portuguese winger went down easy a few times in the opening fifteen minutes. Like everything Larrionda did, it was effective.

His disciplinary measures were appropriate and fully correct. Taken out of context, the booking in 52’ might seem harsh, but Larrionda clearly gave it as a warning sign for the Angolan midfield, who had started racking up a number of fouls. Again, this measure proved to be successful. With a furious Portuguese start and a tight score, Larrionda showed good fitness and mental alertness. Very well done!

His ARs Wálter Rial and Pablo Fandino were rarely challenged, but it should be mentioned that Fandino and Larrionda showed some excellent teamwork in added time of the first half, with the assistant helping his main referee to identify a challenge by ANG #20 as reckless, leading to a fully correct booking.

Jorge Larrionda - 8,5 Wálter Rial - 8,4 Pablo Fandino - 8,5 Kevin Stott Chris Strickland URU - USA	Angola 0-1 Portugal Group Stage
Jamba (29') - SPA (Blocking) Locó (45+3') - Reckless play André Macanga (52') - Reckless play	Cristiano Ronaldo (26') - Reckless play Nuno Valente (79') - Reckless sliding tackle