Espen Eskas to referee his second game at WC, the Round of 32 clash between Portgual and Croatia.
Match #83
Round of 32
3 July 2026, 01:00 CET
BMO Field, Toronto
PORTUGAL - CROATIA
Referee: Espen Eskas NOR
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Erik Engan NOR
Assistant Referee 2: Isaak Bashevkin NOR
Fourth Official: Abongile Tom RSA
Reserve AR: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela RSA
Video Assistant Referee: Jarred Gillett ENG
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Dennis Johan Higler NED
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 : Marco Di Bello ITA
Very fast-paced 15min...
ReplyDeleteClip 11': https://streamable.com/br0af2
Good free kick call
DeleteCorrect YC given by Eskas
ReplyDeleteNo live-sequence in the broadcast...
DeleteYC 17' Replay Clip: https://streamable.com/p0wmr5
Correct YC for reckless arm. Eskas in good shape so far.
ReplyDeleteNice yellow, and nice start for Eskas who has definitely improved over last 12 months
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ReplyDeleteI don’t disagree with the caution but not sure Collina will be too pleased with it.. Eskas had the best performance of the group stage and following it up nicely here so far
ReplyDelete27 minutes all good for the Norwegian ref first YC very correct
ReplyDeleteFirst wrong call free kick for Portugal on 37’
ReplyDeleteIt was right call!!
DeleteFor me correct call
DeleteCorrect for me too, my only issue would have been that in other matches with the FIFA philosophy, we might not have seen the foul. I don’t mind this, CRO clearly looking to be defensive and break up the play so happy for these fouls to be given.
DeleteClip: https://streamable.com/kghs59
DeleteIs Eskas not deserving enough to be blessed by the play by play narration from DD?
ReplyDelete34’ Got to love his positioning to call the non-foul on the counter attack on CRO player. Fantastic sprint ability, always on the move and in terms of anticipation, moved at the right time.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree
DeleteVery convincing and coherent first half by Eskas. Brilliant first YC and a brave decision to give mandatory cards like that even at an early stage of the game.
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DeleteYes, happy to stick with his own guns but still all supportable decisions. One trap I have fallen into, I have praised first half performances but when the games unfold with difficult KMI and increased pressure/intensity things change. Looking forward to a strong finish just as he started.
DeleteYC 59' Clip: https://streamable.com/iwrv6p
ReplyDeleteDon’t think it’s enough for SPA but reckless could be supportable
DeleteGreat call from the AR
ReplyDeleteOffside 61' Clip: https://streamable.com/a3duvq
DeleteOffside 61' 3D Clip:
Deletehttps://streamable.com/ewo492
Extremely close offside to disallow Ronaldo goal. Good on-field decision by AR2
ReplyDeletePhenomenal AR2 to spot offside
ReplyDeletepenalty
ReplyDeleteOFR final decision penalty
ReplyDeleteIMO a good use of VAR and correct decision with the defender also deserving a YC
Delete(OFR) 64' Full-Sequence:
Deletehttps://streamable.com/3mdkol
Clear no need to much in ofr
ReplyDeleteI think to avoid it appearing that VAR (or another referee is calling the game), an OFR is necessary. Not factual, definitely a subjective decision.
DeleteCute announcement from Eskas 😂
ReplyDeleteHaha. It was clear, well explained and done calmly too.
DeleteThere were 3 offences. Striking the face, holding and tripping the leg.
DeleteThe softest of soft penalties completely against everything seen in the tournament so far. What a suprise
ReplyDeleteConsistent call regarding other tournament calls : when defender plays the ball, high tolerance from refs. When ball is not played and when it is clear tactical/antigaming foul play, tolerance is low. Good call.
DeleteAgree @Arthur have noticed this too, so there is consistency. The other big thing, for the review to happen it has to be clear the attacker will be playing the ball. Other bits of holding I have seen not given in this tournament, you wonder whether this review would be supported by the committee?
DeleteSoft penalty, not really holding IMO since the defender's arms just slide down the attacker.
ReplyDeleteMmm… The arms sliding down, don’t prevent the fact that he has held two arms on the body and that action has prevented the attacker from playing the ball.
DeleteIgnoring the strike in the face and trip of the leg?
DeleteVery silly action from the defender. I do think you could have some debate over whether it's absolutely a clear error as despite the 2 arms there is minimal actual pulling or pushing in the defenders actions.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, penalty is the preferred outcome here
You have seen other instances of grappling in the penalty area not given during the tournament. My question would be, why would this be given and others not? The attacker about to play the ball?
DeleteNot clear and obvious error, too soft for VAR penalty. Could support as an on-field decision.
ReplyDeleteOkay I’ll correct myself on this, I can support VAR’s decision after I watched it over and over again because the two-hand grab foul’s impact on the attacker is so big.
DeleteConsidering criteria at the tournament, I think this penalty is too soft
ReplyDeleteShameful penalty
ReplyDeleteHolding, no attempt to play the ball, on the player where the ball is dropping. It's not a footballing action. Correct intervention, and good announcement
ReplyDeleteA little surprised to be honest with the OFR there. Feels quite soft given the general threshold for penalties throughout this tournament. English VAR and I still don’t think you’d see that given in the Premier League…
ReplyDeleteI don’t think they are allowing the grappling that’s happened in the EPL the last season. In saying that, there is still plenty of it happening.
DeletePenalty yes, but YC as well. It’s common that VAR forgets to suggest the exhibition of a card in most of the OFR. It’s a point to improve
ReplyDeleteThe referee needs to know that himself.
DeleteI think it’s a penalty, but if Gillett in the Premier League, he would never have sent the referee to the monitor for this
ReplyDeleteIt was a clear and obvious error attacker ready to make contact with goal in front him being pulled by the defender, its not soft but a very crystal clear PK even in PL would stood thanks for PL VAR Gillett
ReplyDeleteI agree? Those are the sorts of holdings (where it has an impact as on player where the ball is landing, and the defender is doing something that is clearly not a footballing action) that even the English tend to punish
DeleteAlright I’ll buy this interpretation. Agreed
DeleteThe truth is, if this were the Premier League, Gillett would never have called the ref over to the screen for this penalty
ReplyDeleteCan anyone clip penalty please
ReplyDeletejust uploaded.
DeleteI don’t believe what I read here! This is 100% penalty! Not only holding without trying to play the ball (and far away from the ball, could never play it), but also defender fell down on attacker who was very close to the ball. And Vlašić didn’t protest at all, he knew what he did!
ReplyDelete+1
Delete+1
DeleteExcellent work of both AR today. This is absolute masterclass
ReplyDelete+1000. Im in awe...
DeleteBoth ARs exceptional today
ReplyDeleteI think this performance of Norvegian crew is worth a final.
ReplyDeleteAgree
DeleteThat's sounds overboard and very much exaggerated even though Norwegian officials have been pretty best
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