Say what you will, this World Cup is how the game should be officiated globally.

You get knicked on the heel from behind and flop like a fish, tough shite. Get up.

I think the refs have done a great job at toeing the line between making (not letting) them play and not allowing concacaf qualifying shithousery. Aside from the little Salvadoran ref that can’t control a game, it’s been a real pleasure watching the refs tell guys to get their arse up and play on.

My only complaint has been, ironically, that there have been clear as day yellow card offenses that were just regular fouls. Aside from that, not blowing the whistle when a guy gets tapped and flails around on the ground has been refreshing.

What’s more telling, the players are clearly responding to it. Even Almiron started riding out challenges when he realized he couldn’t bait the ref into a whistle