The penalty controversy between Portugal and Uruguay was one of the many talking points of Monday’s World Cup match, but there were other issues for Uruguay to worry about.
Without width and without wit. That pretty much sums up Uruguay’s performance against Portugal in the first 60 minutes.
Despite the assurance of an experienced three-man central defense and a forward line of Edison Cavani and Darwin Núñez to target, Uruguayan full-backs MatÃas Olivera and Guillermo Varela were anonymous. Like Uruguay against South Korea, Uruguay’s threat came mainly from the core areas.
Federico Valverde and MatÃas Vecino in midfield were passed by Bernardo Silva and company. Rodrigo Bentancur was the only player from Uruguay who threatened to create something in the first hour. He cut through the Portuguese defense like a knife through butter in the first half with an incredible run that was not fortunate enough to end with a goal.
Back to 4-3-3
Despite his questionable fashion choice of pairing oversized white sneakers with a navy suit, there was nothing controversial about Diego Alonso’s substitutions on the hour mark. Facundo Pellistri and Giorgian De Arrascaeta came on as Uruguay went to 4-3-3. Finally, balls were played to the wings (mainly to Pellistri’s right wing) and crosses were distributed.
Just conceded the first goal, these substitutions galvanized Uruguay. Maxi Gómez shook the wood and Luis Suárez narrowly missed the bow from a couple of meters.
As stoppage time approached, Uruguay threatened to salvage a point. At least, until the penalty was called for THAT hand against José Giménez.
Law 12
The IFAB’s version of the handball law as part of Law 12 makes for interesting reading. In fact, a year ago a clarification regarding a handball offense was issued. If a ball touches the hand of a player, it is considered an offense if the player “deliberately touches the ball with his hand/arm” and/or “touches the ball with his hand/arm when he has caused his body to unnaturally enlarged.
I think we can safely say that Gimenez did not deliberately handle the ball with his hand.
Did the position of his hand make his body abnormally larger? Possibly. However, how was Giménez able to prevent the ball from touching his hand? Once he slides in for a tackle, it’s very hard to control the flailing arms.
World Cup déjà vu
Once an incident like this goes to VAR, it is very difficult for the referee not to lend a hand. This incident reminded me of Ivan Perisic’s handball offense during the 2018 World Cup final.
Initially, it seemed that the referee was not interested in giving a penalty against Croatia. Once he made his way to the VAR monitor though, you knew he was going to point the spot. Once again, Perisic’s hand was not deliberate and it is unlikely that he had control of his arms as he jumped for a headbutt.
Despite the 2021 IFAB clarification, the handball rule remains as confusing as ever. To say that it is a handball offense if the arm or hand makes the body abnormally large is too vague.
Personally, I think that Giménez caused a handball foul. By touching the ball with his hand and changing its trajectory, he denied Bruno Fernandes the opportunity to shoot from a decent area. Nothing to do with abnormally large bodies!
Ghana is next for Uruguay. I wonder… Has a Uruguayan ever deliberately touched the ball with his hands to prevent a scoring chance?
My mind boggles.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
World Cup 2022 Guide
Here are some resources to help you make the most of the biggest event in soccer!
