57 GERARG Micheľ

Germany defeated Argentina in a Quarterfinal contested between the host nation and the tournament favourites thus far. The defensive substitutions made by Argentina in the second half probably cost them, with Germany victorious in the penalty competition after a tense and tight match. There were ugly scenes after the final whistle with players from both teams having to be separated and a red card issued to Cufré.

One of the biggest matches at the competition required a top referee - Ľuboš Micheľ was highly tested in his first three matches (SWEPAR - PORMEX - BRAGHA) and having convinced in all of them, was nominated by FIFA. Ironically, this match was arguably the least demanding of Micheľ's set - besides the very testy first minutes. Referee from Slovakia did a good job, pending the evaluation of some in-box decisions, which initiates our analysis.

Key Match Incidents

63' - Penalty to Germany (holding)?

Ayala gets caught underneath the ball at a corner and pulls Ballack down who won the position. The holding appears to be the decisive factor that prevents Ballack from reaching the ball, as otherwise the Germany player had perfectly read the flight of the centred ball. 

However, this foul is pretty trifling, and surely not enough given the grand context. 

88' - Penalty to Argentina (tripping)?

Rodríguez commits a very well-executed simulation, it is to Micheľ's credit that from a reasonable distance away that he perceives it like that too. The situation reminds me distinctly of the simulation by Ortega in the Sweden - Argentina game at the World Cup previous. One of the most important decisions of the tournament, and Micheľ got it spot on. Well done.

99' - Penalty to Germany (striking)?

Interesting situation - after a contretemps between Ballack and Ayala before a freekick is centred to the penalty area. They are briefly warned by the referee. Then, after the freekick is played, Ayala reaches for Ballack and makes a relatively trifling contact with the Germany player's face. Micheľ awards a freekick to Argentina (what offence exactly does Ballack commit there? :)).

There is a case to be made that the Ayala-on-Ballack contact was a normal footballing one trying to help the Argentina player co-ordinate himself? In any case I don't think there was enough there; in practice not giving a penalty is the right call. 

Approach

Ľuboš Micheľ had to face an extremely combative first few minutes of this Quarterfinal which threatened to totally explode - talking to both captains and reminding them of their responsibilities, cautioning Podolski for his second deliberate careless foul on Mascherano and an excellently quickly awarded balancing freekick for Argentina helped Micheľ keep his hand on a very tough start to the game.

The rest was not really that remarkable! Referee from Slovakia gave the necessary cautions and handled the game well. The way he dealt with mobbing in the second half was quite noteworthy; successful. Good afternoon for both ARs, who were not particularly challenged.  

Ľuboš Micheľ - 8,6 Roman Slyško - 8,4 Martin Balko - 8,4 Massimo Busacca Francesco Buragina  SVK - SUI	Germany 1-1 Argentina (Germany win 4-2 in a penalty competition) Quarterfinal
Podolski (3.) - Tackle Odonkor (+94.) - Tackle Friedrich (114.) - Tackle	Sorín (46.) - SPA (Tripping) Mascherano (60.) - SPA (Tackle) Rodríguez (88.) - Simulation Cruz (95.) - Striking
	Cufré (c.FT) - Violent Conduct

From today on, we will post one match a day (at 1700CET), save for the Third Place Playoff which will be posted at noon CET on the same day as the final, at 1700; thank you for your continued interest!