Second game in the tournament for Italian referee Maurizio Mariani, he is in charge of Colombia - DR Congo.
Match #48
Group K
24 June 2026, 04:00 CET
Estadio Akron, Zapopan
COLOMBIA - DR CONGO
Referee: Maurizio Mariani ITA
Assistant Referee 1: Daniele Bindoni ITA
Assistant Referee 2: Alberto Tegoni ITA
Fourth Official: Juan Calderon CRC
Reserve AR: Juan Carlos Mora CRC
Video Assistant Referee: Marco Di Bello ITA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Mohammed Obaid Khadim UAE
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :Carlos Del Cerro Grande ESP
Ironically the SAOT image came minutes after an offside decision in this game but never appeared in the ENGvGHA game
ReplyDeleteInteresting appointment for Mariani, a relative straight forward appointment first fixture for him and now another straight forward appointment again. Obviously just like his last fixture, he still has to deliver but it’s interesting to see how the fixtures get assigned.
ReplyDeleteExcellent offside call by AR1 Daniele Bindoni, disallowing Colombia first goal. Calling that without VAR is impressive
ReplyDeleteYep, fantastic call, the SAOT had it incredibly tight, fractions in it
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DeleteClear missed YC in 38'
ReplyDeleteFor me, it is keeping with how he did his first game. With the high bar for fouls and disciplinary action, I think his player management would be preferred over a YC (the expectation of referees around high bar at this World Cup)
DeleteMariani is running injured.
ReplyDeleteSeems like it’s OK, but he was visibly showing signs of discomfort around the 70th minute…
DeleteHe does appear not to be running at his full capability, not moving freely as he did earlier in the game. Either discomfort otherwise?
DeleteNot a lot of sprints pretty clear on the last action at 91'
DeleteSo now we are given soft fouls ?
ReplyDeleteInteresting now that in this game and the ENGvGHA some softer fouls much lower bar than other games at this tournament.
DeleteI think more we advance during this tournament and more we gonna comeback to the usual style, i will say UCL style, i'm not sure a referee will allowed a goal with a big contact or not give a PK like ENG vs GHA in an elimination game just to satisfy Collina.
DeleteAyew of Ghana commited numerous over physical fouls ,some called ,some not ,but he deserved at least a yellow card ,but nothing given
Delete56’ COL YC for SPA
ReplyDeleteCorrect and rather easy call there for SPA, COL def committed a tactical foul on the COD att, Mariani pointing at the attacking opportunity after showing the card
Poor signalling there to initially point to the ground in the box for a free kick to the defending team rather than the usual; Looked initially as if awarding a PK
ReplyDeleteAgree reallly weird delay and also missed offside on this action
DeleteHe was about to call Penalty and realize he fuck it up by just looking players reaction and immediately change his called afterwards
DeleteYC out of his pocket before the one on COL#16, not shown live
ReplyDeleteYC was for DRC#18
DeleteFirst Oliver's injury, then Zwayer's injury, and now Mariani didn't look very physically fit... It's especially strange that European referees are experiencing this issue... I wonder if UEFA and FIFA have different training standards?
ReplyDeleteI don’t even know what injury Michael Oliver sustained. Felix Zwayer likely only had a cramp, something players often experience during matches. What truly surprises me is why the most significant controversies at World Cups tend to involve the most experienced referees or those from major footballing nations.
DeleteJust yesterday, I was reminded of the infamous June 27, 2010, when both Round of 16 matches were mishandled by Jorge Larrionda and Roberto Rosetti. I also recall Graham Poll showing three yellow cards before finally sending off the player in question.
There is frequent debate about the quality of referees from OFC, AFC, and CAF, yet the most high-profile errors consistently occur within the other confederations. I still find Wilton Sampaio’s VAR announcement astonishing. How is FIFA supposed to operate with referees at this level of English proficiency? Realistically, you would need to pair him with another Brazilian or with João Pinheiro as fourth official to ensure effective communication.
Above all, it raises a fundamental question: what exactly does FIFA evaluate over years of preparation if the final selection still includes referees who may be technically competent on the pitch, yet unable to communicate clearly beyond their native language?
@Peter
DeleteFantastic comment
The only thing is that Zwayer, he actually tripped before the cramp set in, so I do wonder if it is something worse?
DeleteEuropean referees referee more games than any other continent ,so wear and tear injuries are more common .
DeleteSolid performances by Mariani and Atcho, but, average by Martinez. Average only due to very big mistake to not call the penalty! Rest was Ok.
ReplyDeleteGood performance but poor management of added time. Colombia players throwing themselves to the ground to delay set pieces knowing the time won’t be put back on. Ball was in play for 20 seconds of the first 3 minutes of added time
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