39 KSASWE Marsiglia

 

Kenneth Andersson was the difference as Sweden defeated Saudi Arabia by three goals to one to reach the World Cup quarterfinal. The match was certainly much easier than most of the second round matches, and that wasn't really an accident - if not for the lobbying of Brazilian FIFA President João Havelange, the referee Renato Marsiglia would have been removed after his subpar handling of the Belgium - Netherlands match. 

So this appointment was a political compromise; Brazil's qualification to the next round saved everyone a fair amount of later arguing. Highly frustrating as this match would have been perfect for eg. Lim Kee Chong to cut his teeth on, but such is FIFA. In the event - Marsiglia had a decent game, though the problems evident in his first match had not gone away. 

Marsiglia again used his cards as a tool to inflame rather than calm the match - even the first caution, a good tactical choice for my money, was indicated in a counter-productive manner. None of the four cautions, including three in ten minutes in the second half, were wrong per se, but the Brazilian referee did not leave the best impression either. His foul detection was solid - an improvement on BELNED - and his fitness very good. It is always a cheap shot, but the question is worth posing - was Marsiglia simply fortunate the match was not more challenging?

Paulo Alves made an important mistake at 72'. Besides he and Raimundo Calix García were very quiet.

Renato Marsiglia - 8,3 Paulo Alves - 8,2 Raimundo Calix - 8,4 Ernesto Filippi BRA, BRA, HON	Saudi Arabia 1-3 Sweden Round of Sixteen
Al-Muwallid (71') - Tackle	Ljung (16') - SPA (Tripping) Thern (67') - Not Respecting 9.15m Nilsson (74') - Tackle