Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final and referee Slavko Vincic’s performance has been discussed
Slavko Vincic was the referee for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina(Image: Heuler Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Former Premier League referee Graham Scott has identified two errors that referee Slavko Vincic made during the World Cup final. Spain emerged victorious in the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, claiming a 1-0 win after extra time following a goal from Barcelona star Ferran Torres.
There was drama throughout the game, with Argentina star Enzo Fernandez getting sent off for receiving two yellow cards in the closing stages of the 90 minutes.
Leandro Paredes was also shown a red card after the final whistle, following a heated altercation with Spain duo Eric Garcia and Gavi.
Vincic also handed out yellow cards to Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero and Alexis Mac Allister, but Scott has argued why the latter should have been cautioned earlier in the game.
Scott believes that Mac Allister should have been booked in the first half, with the Liverpool midfielder not given a yellow card until late in extra time.
“Referee Slavko Vincic adopted a low-key approach to the World Cup final in the first half, but a decision not to show a yellow card to Alexis Mac Allister could have come back to haunt him,” Scott told The Athletic.
“The Liverpool midfielder’s tackle on the halfway line early in the first half was late, involved both feet and could only be described as reckless. The fourth official had the perfect view, and should have been able to describe what he saw in such terms that Vincic would have shown a card.
“Top referees always want their first yellow to be for an offence that no one can dispute, which sometimes leads to borderline tackles being excused early in the match. But Mac Allister crossed the line in the 15th minute and should have been punished.
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“Vincic might have regretted his leniency had Mac Allister later committed another yellow-card offence that had a major impact on the game, such as stopping a significant Spain attack.”
Scott also explained that he thinks and Nicolas Tagliafico should also have been booked for a foul in the first half, with Vincic choosing not to caution the Lyon defender.
“Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico could easily have received a yellow card when he deliberately brought down Spain’s Lamine Yamal,” he added.
“He was saved by the presence nearby of Lisandro Martinez, but the challenge was so unorthodox, clumsy and deliberate that many referees would have cautioned the defender.”
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