However, after Lisbon Athletics scored their second goal, the match suddenly changed.
The chief referee, Gandour, bizarrely expanded his criteria for fouls.
Lisbon Athletics and Barcelona both favor technical gameplay, meaning they both prefer stricter officiating.
It inhibits violent fouls and muscular grappling from the opposing players.
From the referee's primary duties, such strict officiating is more reasonable.
Referees are not maintainers of absolute fairness and justice; their main task is to make the match as smooth and spectacular as possible without altering the outcome.
A tighter officiating allows two ball-controlling teams to showcase their intricate cooperation when in possession; that's sufficient.
Yet, as the match restarted, Gandour seemed quite indulgent towards Barcelona's pressing, clearly inconsistent with his earlier officiating.
Quaresma, Viana, Deng Kai, and others all suffered from Barcelona's foul-like tackles.
