Feelings

Intense

This was a real American Semi-Final match, with all its ingredients: nerves, discussions, big emotions, goals... Brazil and Uruguay made us feel, once again, all their football history. Especially the Uruguayans, they played THE match, and they did it well... much better than the pale - very defensive - Brazil. Sadly though, it wasn't enough for the Uruguayan "Celeste"...

Relaxed

During this battle, Ruiz had work to do. But from the beginning, I noticed that he was refereeing a bit indifferently. He's an experienced referee, of course, and this helps him. But today it seemed to me that he was TOO calm. During the game, he once or twice laughed with some players at something that we´ll never know... Well, I think he should have taken it more seriously.

But

But let's be fair: Ruiz did a good job. Doing a general evaluation, he was OK in the majority of the decisions he took. In the first half a foul on Vagner Love looked like a penalty for Brazil, but - as usual - Venezuelan TV didn't make things any clearer. In general, he used his cards correctly.

Penalties

During penalties, the officials must continue their work. The referee and the 1st assistant, they have two things to do: control if the ball has crossed the line, and prevent the goalkeeper from going forward... The Brazilian goalie did this once, twice... nobody even warned him. In the last penalty, the one that was missed by Lugano, Doni walked out 2 or 3 steps (1,5 m), and he stopped it. But, of course... would you have told the Brazilians that they had to repeat that last penalty?