There might be no better feeling for a soccer referee than to recognize an advantage, signal it, and have the team in possession exploit it by scoring a goal. It isn’t from wanting one team or another to score that this pleasure derives, but rather from a sense that justice has been served.

FIFA Referee Mike Dean and crew put on (another) refereeing masterclass.

Advantage inside the penalty area is a very rare occurrence, as we are taught to only let play continue only when there is a very high likelihood the attacking team will score. As penalty kicks are converted at an 92% rate at the highest levels, referees should be at least that sure that an advantage…