Match 8 - AUT : FRA - GIL MANZANO (ESP)

That was really, really bad. One can only imagine Gil Manzano thought it came back off the attacker's body? Still, no real excuse. AR should have it and that's just a total lack of focus.

"Shortly thereafter" doing a LOT of work. Possession changed at least twice and there were two stoppages (free kick for France + throw-in for Denmark) in between with over 2 minutes elapsing. I make zero excuses for Gil Manzano, per above. But implying it then led to a goal only works if you ascribe the butterfly effect to llterally everything in game.

 

We could probably write an essay on 79' but in the end, goalkeeper's get the benefit of the doubt, huh?

 

Right, AND the goalkeeper's leg goes up and clatters him in the head--far more significantly than the other way around.

I mean, on the merits if we're being fair and true to the Laws, this is probably a penalty. But we're never selling that and no one can really expect that.

A foul and yellow card the other way is inherently unfair though, unless you just believe goalkeeper's going to ground always warrant complete protection.

With the benefit of hindsight, I like a stoppage for injuries and dropped ball to the goalkeeper.

 

I think based on how quickly it was out, it was for the hands to the face.

 

Mbappe pulling a move straight out of the local amateur league and daring an international elite referee to deal with appropriately. Which he did. All pretty funny.

 

I think Deschamps was handled perfectly. You don't just want to go around tossing yellows willy-nilly. Deschamps was obviously trying to plead his case and weasel Mbappe out of the yellow, but even he had to concede how blatant it was. He didn't seem angry or combative about it and it allowed Gil Manzano to show management skills. So long as he accounts for that time lost, all is good.

 

So stupid on France's part.
They were down a man. They wanted to stop the game so they could put a sub on.
So they sent Mbappe out there to sit down. He entered without permission.
France had to know a card was coming.
France should have had someone who will not see time walk on the pitch and take the caution.
Now Mbappe is at risk for cumulative suspension.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

EDIT: or even have an assistant walk onto the pitch.

 

The ref and the AR on that one side missed two really easy calls where the ball went off the defender but goal kick instead of corner kick given. The one in favor of France was particularly bad. How could you not tell Mike's amazing save was the reason the ball went out?

As some others here have hinted, I thought this was the weakest reffing display I've seen in the tournament thus far. Nothing earth shatteringly bad. But just not great overall.