Oceanians take part in Brazil vs. Argentina clash

The most important clash of the world football was played once again, this time the Superclassico played between the giants Brazil and Argentina was played in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. The game that stars as Lionel Messi and Alisson play had three Oceania members that were crucial for the game: the referees.

The New Zealanders Matthew Conger, Mark Rule and the Tongan Tevita Makasini helped the clash to work correctly. The star commentator Galvão Bueno from Brazil stated that he was worried with the referee coming from a nation that does not have much tradition in the world football – New Zealand, but Conger and his assistants proved the Brazilian journalist was wrong.

Conger has experience of refeering in U20 World Cup and as well the FIFA World Cup – in 2018 edition he officiated the match between Iceland and Nigeria. Conger is known as the best football referee currently in New Zealand. The assistants referees Mark Rule and Tevita Makasini also both have experience of being at the biggest football tournament in the world.

Matthew Conger shown six yellow cards to players as Casemiro and Leandro Paredes but the most important actions come just early in the match when at the 10th minute he appointed to the penalty spot in favour of Brazil after a foul of Paredes on Gabriel Jesus. The Manchester City striker step up but did not find the nets sending the ball out of target. Three minutes later Juventus full back Alexsandro fouled star Lionel Messi inside area and another penalty was awarded, but this time for Argentina. Messi took the penalty himself but he was denied by Liverpool and Seleção stopper Alisson, but in the rebound the Barcelona FC legend made no mistake and scored the goal that separated both teams giving his side a 1-0 victory.

According to Brazilian TV, both penalties were awarded correctly by the Oceanian referees. The only mistake according to them was in the first half when Messi fouled Chelsea star William tackling him from behind when the winger was clearly in a counter-attack move – Conger only talked to the Argentinian but did not show a yellow card to the Argentina captain.

It was a very good match for the referees that can show Oceania has top quality members in this part of the game ready to step up in the big stages of football worldwide.