47 BULGER Torres

Bulgaria hadn't won a World Cup finals match before arriving in the United States but their remarkable comeback victory against world champions Germany saw them reach the semifinal. Trailing one-nothing with a quarter-hour to play, Bulgaria held on for the remaining ten minutes to see them score a sensational upset which couldn't have seemed a more distant reality than after their opening three-nil defeat to Nigeria. An ageing Germany were down and out, and for the first time since 1962, the World Cup semifinals were played without them.

José Torres Cadena from Colombia was the referee, having deputised very well in his two group matches Belgium - Morocco and a crucial Ireland - Norway he was rewarded with a quarterfinal appointment. Torres Cadena was quite excellent in this match, with his brilliant manner and simple style, he gave a masterclass in officiating - the best performance so far! 

Some pointers:

- At 48', Torres took the most important decision of the afternoon: penalty to Germany. Jordan Lečkov clumsily impeded Jürgen Klinsman in the penalty area, and the Colombian referee was excellently placed to get the decision spot on. 

- Disciplinary control and foul detection was very predictable, consistent and more-or-less totally faultless! (no card at 50' then yellow at 51' aside). 

- On a foul selection level, Torres blew more pedantically in the first ten minutes, and then having assured everyone was playing in a fair manner, he could allow more contact. In the most flowing passages of the game, referee was more lenient. 

- I was really impressed by Torres' hard work at 16', having taken an extreme wide position from the freekick, he utilised his sprinting ability when many wouldn't have to get back into a decent place, which helped him assess a penalty appeal for Bulgaria (correctly not given). A few times he was a bit close to the ball during the match. 

- It is no exaggeration to say that Torres' manner as a referee is one of the best I've ever seen! The combination of his phlegmatic, relaxed manner and concentrated and determined decision-taking is simply excellent; he makes refereeing World Cup games look like a stroll in the park amongst friends. How he solved the opening caution of the game on a personality level was especially convincing. It is rare to see such a natural style and referee - my respect!

- Potential issues: 

* Mistake to award the freekick which was converted for 1-1? More no foul for me, but acceptable.

* Was the tackle at 28' a case of Serious Foul Play? Live sequence suggests it could be, but there is no clear evidence that it was.

Generally quiet afternoon for them but definitely a good one for both linesmen - Sándor Márton (bizarrely not at Puhl's side) did really well to become involved and flag a handling offence probably out of his vicinity but on Torres' blindside in the first half, some of the best teamwork of the competition! Venancio Zárate correctly took a very, very crucial decision - to disallow a second goal for Germany. Both Márton and Zárate would be appointed again. 

José Torres - 8,7 Venancio Zárate - 8,5 Sándor Márton - 8,4 Neji Jouini COL, PAR, HUN	Bulgaria 2-1 Germany Quarterfinal
Ivanov (28') - Tackle Stojčkov (83') - Dissent Mihajlov (86') - Delaying the Restart	Helmer (15') - SPA (Holding) Wagner (16') - SPA (Tripping) Häßler (49') - SPA (Tripping) Klinsmann (51') - Tackle Völler (90') - Lack of Respect (Handling)