The former head of PGMOL will be our refereeing expert throughout the World Cup, taking a close look at the performances of the men with the whistle, as well as other talking points.
Canada vs Qatar
At the conclusion of this rather feisty game, there was a mass confrontation between the players of both teams, which FIFA’s disciplinary panel will review. I expect action to be taken to ensure that this damaging image is not allowed to occur in future matches.
During the match, Qatar's Malibo was guilty of a serious foul play challenge, which was frankly unacceptable. I was surprised that the referee, in an effort to avoid any confrontation, didn't pull out his red card immediately.
Whilst I appreciate that the offender showed some remorse, players should recognise that they have a duty of care towards their opponent. Sadly, Canada's Kone was carried off the field of play on a stretcher after suffering a broken leg
Scotland vs Morocco
The first major incident was a clear foul by Morocco's Issa Diop on Scotland's Che Adams, with the referee immediately showing the offender the yellow card. This was the wrong sanction, and I was disappointed that there was no intervention by the VAR on this clear and obvious error. The sanction should have been a red card.
Adams was making a direct run down the centre of the field towards the goal in possession of the ball when he was fouled. The criteria for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) were fulfilled. It had to be red.
Referees, in determining the DOGSO criteria, have to consider the following: Distance between the offence and the goal, general direction of the play, likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, location, and number of defenders and attackers.
I am satisfied that the criteria on all points were fulfilled to warrant a red card. There was no covering defender, and there was evidence that the attacker would have retained possession of the ball and had a shot on goal.
Scotland were also denied a clear penalty kick. McTominay was in possession of the ball inside his opponent's penalty area when the Moroccan player, using his right leg and moving across his opponent, brought McTominay down to the ground with a careless challenge.
Not to award the spot kick was a poor decision by the referee, who delivered an indifferent performance, and below the standard you would expect from a World Cup official.
Turkey vs Paraguay
Miguel Almiron became the first player in the World Cup to receive a red card after he had covered his mouth with his hand whilst making a comment.
This law was rushed through by FIFA and IFAB in the run-up to the start of the competition, and I understand that it will not be applied next season in the English Premier League.
Tunisia vs Japan
The 1000th World Cup game was refereed by Istvan Kovacs and his team of officials, who were provided with a specially designed and produced gold shirt. Japan ran out 4-0 winners, with no challenging decisions throughout for the man in the middle or the men on the sidelines.
During my tenure in office managing PGMOL officials in England, I repeatedly requested that the Premier League fund the development of goal-line technology. I worked closely with Hawkeye to assist in the development and introduction, and it has proved to be able to deliver an accurate “Goal” message to the referee with clarity.
Japan thought they had scored, but the technology confirmed that the whole of the ball had not crossed the goal line.
In this World Cup, goal-line decisions are made using the special Adidas ball that has a chip inside.
Belgium vs Iran
Nathan Ngoy clearly made a mess of one back pass, with the ball only moving a few yards. In an effort to recover, he impeded his opponent, bringing him down.
The foul impacted the forward and left the referee with no alternative, after determining that the DOGSO criteria had been fulfilled, but to show the red card for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Later, Leandro Trossard was brought down by an unacceptable foul challenge, with the Iran defender raking his studs down the back of Trossard's leg, and leaving a gaping hole in his sock.
The action was, in my opinion, serious foul play, and a red card should have been the appropriate sanction.
Argentina vs Austria
After an early VAR review, the referee correctly awarded a penalty kick to Argentina. With the expectation that Messi would step up and break the record for scoring the most goals at the World Cup, the Argentine talisman was far too casual, and his miss from 12 yards saw the stadium fall silent in disbelief.
Despite a third penalty kick miss in his appearances at World Cup games, Messi soon did score to go clear of Miroslave Klose's previous record of 16 goals at WC finals.
Following the goal, many Austrian players and fans wanted it ruled out, believing that a foul challenge had taken place in the build-up to the goal.
Football is a contact sport, of course, and when players challenge for the ball, they do sometimes come together and contact happens. The Austrian was clearly trying to win a free-kick by falling down slightly backwards, but the referee took no action after judging that no foul had taken place and rightly allowed play to continue.
I support why there was no VAR intervention, because the referee had not made a clear and obvious error in allowing play to continue. I agree with that decision.
Within minutes of the restart, Austria's No.5 used his shoulder against an opponent and received a yellow card, with the referee quickly on hand to diffuse a potential mass confrontation.
Norway vs Senegal
Senegal thought they were unlucky not to get a penalty after a challenge by Norway’s Moller Wolfe on Idrissa Gana Gueye.
The referee, Wilton Pereira Sampaio, was ideally positioned and went through the correct decision-making process, with his positioning giving him the ability to see the incident clearly.
Both players challenging for possession were looking upwards towards the ball, and he also rightly recognised that the coming together of the two players was an accident.
The delay in him making his decision was because he was going through the decision-making process for a referee, which is 'see, recognise, think and act.'
The outcome was the right call, a good piece of officiating, and one I strongly support.
England vs Ghana
When England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ran out of the penalty area, he crashed into his opponent, making a run with the ball towards the goal.
Those actions were reckless, and he should have received a yellow card sanction.
The referee, Said Martinez, didn't issue a sanction, instead awarding a free kick to England, much to the despair of the Ghana fans.
Some final thoughts...
A photograph showing Jude Bellingham covering his mouth whilst in conversation with an opponent is shown on social media, and clearly, this action is a red card offence.
He was fortunate that the referee and VAR didn't detect this, so how might FIFA react? Will they consider issuing a sanction?