Howard Webb in contention to referee World Cup final but controversial Spaniard Carlos Velasco Carballo remains favourite

Howard Webb is among the referees in contention for the World Cup final.



The English official has presided over two fixtures at this year’s finals in Brazil and has won praise for his performance.



Webb was in charge for Colombia’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in the group stage and was again in the middle when Brazil met Chile in the last 16.



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Decisive: Former World Cup final referee Howard Webb was praised for his handling of Brazil versus Chile

The 42-year-old was hailed for his handling of that game, in which Brazil won through on penalties following a 1-1 draw.



Webb had correctly disallowed a Hulk goal for handball and was authoritative throughout, leading to German newspaper Bild asking the question ‘can he not referee every game?’.



And Webb and his team - assistants Michael Mullarkey and Darren Cann - are now among 15 sets of officials who have been retained for the final four games of the tournament.



Good call: Although on first viewing the goal looked legitimate, Webb rightly spotted Hulk's handball

Mexican Marco Rodriguez has already been awarded Tuesday’s semi-final between Brazil and Germany, but the last-four clash between Argentina and Holland, as well as the final and 3/4 playoff are still up for grabs.



Webb, of course, took charge of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa. Spain were 1-0 winners against Holland but Webb was criticised for failing to send off Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong after he planted his studs into the chest of Xabi Alonso.



Ridiculed: Webb was mocked in 2010 for only giving a yellow card for this 'tackle' by Nigel de Jong

However, no referee has ever been awarded two World Cup finals and Webb, despite impressing in South America, is likely to miss out.



Spain’s Carlos Velasco Carballo is favourite to land Sunday’s final despite his lenient handling of Brazil’s 2-1 win over Colombia in Friday’s quarter-final. There was a tournament high of 54 fouls but only four bookings were issued. The brutish affair also saw Brazil star Neymar suffer a broken bone in his back, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament.



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