World Cup Group E - Referee Marrs Game (Italy 1 - USA 1)

I can't believe this amateur of a referee can referee a game of such magnitude. Jorge Larrionda from Uruguay is a clown and should never referee another game, let alone a World Cup game ever again.

The game started brightly with USA practically parked in the Italian side. Although goalmouth chances were few and far between, they were ferocious in their tackles and that set the pace for the rest of the game. However it was the Italians who scored first against the run of play with a superb header from Gilardino.

Then the Italians' game turned on it's head in a space of 60 seconds. Firstly, they scored an own goal from Zaccardo, then De Rossi stupidly elbowed Brian McBride, leaving him with a bloodied head. The referee correctly sent De Rossi for an early shower.

That's when the referee went totally haywire. He then went on to sent 2 American players off, either side of the half. Both were incredible decisions. The first was a straight red for Mastroeni for a bad tackle. Reckon it was a bad tackle, but it should not have warrented a red card. It was his first infringement in the game and at worst should've been a yellow card.

At the start of the second half, he produced a second red card for Eddie Pope for another tackle. The replays showed that Pope had actually gotten the ball in a fair manner. The referee totally lost the plot and spoilt what was to be an interesting game.

With a 10-9 advantage, you would think the Italians would have romped away to victory, or at least seal an easy win. But that wasn't to be. They played without any energy, and to be frank, given their pedigree probably didn't even deserve to draw this game. The Americans, on the other hand, played like their lives depended on it. They even had a goal disallowed for an offside which looked somewhat dubious at first glance, coz the player involved didn't really look like interferring with play. But it's debatable given the fact he did lift his legs, when the ball was shot. The assistant referee probably got that one right.

Kasey Keller also did make a couple of outstanding saves against the Italians.

I can't believe I actually placed a small bet on the Italians winning this game. They looked lethargic and a step slower than USA, who were fighting for their World Cup lives. What's worse, I placed another small bet on the Italians winning the whole damn competition. From the looks of this dismal performance, they may even have a problem playing an already depleted Czech Republic.

Whatever the case is, this group has definitely opened up and every team now has a chance of qualifying to the last 16.