54 SUIUKR Archundia

If Portugal and the Netherlands lost all grip of reason trying to avoid elimination before the Quarterfinal, then Switzerland and Ukraine on the precipice of a fantastic achievement of reaching the last eight of the World Cup were a bit overcome. While I disagree with an article published on the site of a British newspaper that vaingloriously declared this was the "dullest match in World Cup history"; it wasn't great. 

Benito Archundia was in charge - he proved his worth in his last assignment, the well-officiated exciting fixture between the Czech Republic and Italy, but this game did not play to his strengths. Referee from Mexico ultimately did not fail with his laissez-faire approach, but by the same token: did he really succeed either? The only player who was cautioned should have seen the yellow card again and been sent off, but Archundia's path of least resistance was evidently appreciated by the powers-that-be. A look first at a couple of interesting situations for the refereeing.

Key Match Incidents

79' - Second Yellow Card to Switzerland no.16?

Switzerland player was late to a bouncing ball and made a reckless studs contact with his opponent - having already been cautioned, he should been shown a yellow card for the second time by the referee. 

Archundia's decision would be described by some as sensible - that's not wrong, considering the referee's approach to this match. But the tackle is without doubt closer to Serious Foul Play than it is too careless: (it should be that) there is no room for manoeuvre, mandatory caution.

CRUCIAL MISTAKE

115' - Penalty to Switzerland (tripping)?

Switzerland should actually have been awarded a penalty in the final stages - attacker no.11 just after or even simultaneously as shooting, had his standing leg recklessly taken out by his opponent. In my view, it's a clear penalty! Fourteen years of football beginning to recognise how dangerous tackles like this are dangerous gives Archundia enough benefit of the doubt. 

Approach

Benito Archundia contributed to how boring the world found this match - by simply tolerating the fouling of both teams without prevention or sanctions (the only card given was a bit random too), he did not try to promote exciting, attacking play and just rewarded cynical, match-killing tactics. You can decide for yourself how many yellow cards he missed - the denouement of this performance was how he dealt with a clear, even cheekily opportunistic case of Delaying the Restart at the start of the second half (not exactly the same incident, but I was strongly reminded of this). 

Yes Archundia got through it without bigger problems, but is this really the World Cup 1990-esque refereeing that we want to see? Mr. Blatter who attended the match and the Referees Committee gave their decisive answer, in the form of the appointment to the first Semifinal match. 

Very quiet game for both ARs, Héctor Vergara correctly raised his flag to indicate an offside in extra time. 

Benito Archundia - 7,8 (8,0) José Ramírez - 8,4 Héctor Vergara - 8,4 Jerome Damon Justice Yeboah MEX, MEX, CAN – RSA, GHA	Switzerland 0-0 Ukraine (Ukraine win 0-3 in a penalty competition) Round of Sixteen
Barnetta (59.) - SPA (Tripping)