Normal service resumed

Control

Howard Webb normally looks to be in firm and absolute control of his matches, using his physical presence to keep players in line. Today that was lacking. After Spain's initial salvo Holland changed their tactics and made much more physical tackles to slow the Spanish down. This is where Webb started to let things spiral because he did not take command. Van Bommell committed four challenges in 15 minutes, each of which was worth a yellow card and the one for which he was booked was a borderline red. And de Jong was unbelievably lucky to still be on the park after kicking Alonso in the chest in a challenge which can be described only as a thuggish assault. Webb had a clear view, yet only produced a yellow and not a red. And Sneijder should have picked up a booking on the stroke of half time after clattering into Sergio Ramos. If Webb had taken the necessary, stronger action the game would probably have settled down and been a much more fair and enjoyable contest.

Foul detection

Aside from not taking firmer action on heavy tackles, Webb gave a number of peculiar foul decisions. For instance Sneijder was blocked off by Busquets and Ramos, yet the free kick in favour of the Spaniards. And late in the second half as Robben was clean through his shirt was pulled back by Puyol. Although Robben remained on his feet, the foul meant he lost control of the ball and was denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity which should have seen a Dutch free kick and a straight red for Puyol. However, I think Webb tolerated too much dissent from Robben and allowed him to protest for far too long before booking him. Another sign of his weakness in this match.

Extra time

Webb's problems continued into extra time. He denied the Dutch two corner kicks, one after Casillas got fingertips to an attempted shot, and one after a very significant deflection from the Spanish wall at a free kick. He also failed to spot the clearest of fouls on Braafheid on the edge of the Spanish box, and from there Spain broke up field and had scored within 30 seconds. He also sent off Heitinga for a second yellow after he apparently brought down Iniesta, but any contact was minimal and in light of what Webb had let go earlier in the match I feel that the second yellow was very harsh. Robben, however, should have picked up a second yellow for kicking the ball away - the directive from FIFA is very clear that this is a mandatory caution so Webb's leniency cannot be justified.

Assistants

Howard Webb probably won this appointment based on the excellence of his two assistant referees Darren Cann & Mike Mullarkey. They were again exemplary in this match getting every decision correct, and it is a shame that they will get no official recognition for a job well done. I said in an earlier report the 'team' system for referees is a bit stupid as good referees like Rosetti and Larrionda are let down by their assistants, while great assistants (Cann is the best in the world in my view) are let down by an indifferent referee.