The Make-Believe Law and a Real Baturina

While Croatia still leans on its "Golden Generation" with Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic taking center stage, Martin Baturina is generating significant buzz for both the present and the future. The 23-year-old midfielder, who plays for Italian club Como, featured in the number 10 role in their last match – though he can also drift in from the left wing or operate deeper as an 8 – and proved a constant menace to the Panamanian defense. He completed six dribbles and was fouled seven times, marking the best performance by a young player since Diego Maradona's display for Argentina against Belgium in 1982. Baturina achieved the same success rate in offensive one-on-one situations, but was illegally stopped one less time than "El Pelusa."

He arrives in top form after an excellent season, ready to help the veteran trio lead the team as far as possible in the knockout stages. For now, the Croatians control their own destiny for the first step: a win against Ghana guarantees direct qualification for the Round of 16. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to give the ball to Baturina, who has already proven to be a serious talent.

Less serious, it's clear, is the new rule dubbed the "Prestianni Law," stemming from the incident involving Vinícius Júnior in the Champions League. While the Benfica forward received a suspension without proof, rendering the presumption of innocence meaningless, the decision to send off a player now rests on the referee's interpretation. Officials must discern from a player's body language, specifically when they cover their mouth, whether the conversation is amicable or aggressive before reaching for a red card.

The law, initially based on the premise that covering one's mouth implies something negative, has been turned on its head, according to Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's head of refereeing. He now admits that an innocuous conversation, not intended for public ears, could be taking place. Right! But did anyone consider that a player like Vinícius Júnior might complain without cause and gain an advantage? For now, for the same gesture, the dismissed Almirón is the villain, and the pardoned Bellingham is the hero. No one knows what was said, but in the FIFA world, that doesn't seem to matter!