Who is the referee for the Argentina vs Croatia semi-final game in World Cup 2022?

Daniele Orsato was the man in the middle for the opening World Cup game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador (which the hosts lost 2-0) and the experienced Italian will now be the referee in charge of the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia on Tuesday.

This is not his his first game in charge of Argentina at this World Cup, as he officiated La Albiceleste’s 2-0 group stage win over Mexico. The 47-year-old ref didn’t feature in the Round of 16 or quarter-finals but has been called up for the first semi-final of the 2022 World Cup.

Who is referee Orsato?

Orsato is one of the most experienced referees in European football. His experience should let the game flow as both sides look to advance to the final on Sunday 18 December.

The 47-year-old was born in Montecchio Maggiore, in the province of Vicenza, Italy, and has been a UEFA referee since 2010. Before becoming a referee, he was a coach.

Orsato has only ever taken charge of one Argentina game, their 2-0 win over Mexico earlier in the 2022 tournament. He has been involved in three Croatia matches, including two wins for Modric and co. and a 1-0 defeat to England at the 2020 European Championships.

For the 2020 Champions League final between PSG and Bayern Munich, Orsato was in charge of the match that ended in a narrow victory for the German team. He was also voted the best referee of 2020 by the IFFHS.

Orsato’s 2022 World Cup stats

In the World Cup opener between Qatar and Ecuador, a match that ended in a 2-0 win for the South American side, he showed two yellow cards to the Ecuadorians, gave a penalty in Ecuador’s favour, and produced four yellow cards against the Qatari team.

In the group stage match between Argentina and Mexico, which ended in victory for Argentina, Orsato showed only one yellow card to Argentina and four to Mexico.

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Referees criticised during World Cup

Several referees at the Qatar World Cup have come in for serious criticism, which will only increase the pressure on Orsato heading into one of the biggest games of his career.

Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz was among those who were criticised during the quarter-finals. Lahoz is now set to leave Qatar after criticism from Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong after Argentina beat the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the semi-finals.

Messi stated that Lahoz should not be allowed to officiate in a game as important as the one he played in.