Chris Bambridge - 1986

While Socceroos fans across the country were begrudging the vibrating smartwatch worn by Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha last weekend when Paul Pogba's deflected shot dropped an inch over the line, one Australian may have allowed himself a wry smile - Chris Bambridge could have really used such technology (and a pair of capable linesmen) at Mexico '86.

Australia's second World Cup referee was assigned the opening match in Group D, Spain v Brazil, and it was goalless in Guadalajara when, in the 54th minute, a Spain corner was cleared as far as Real Madrid midfielder, Michel. The 23 year-old unleashed a thunderous drive against underside of the bar, sending the ball rebounding down off the goal line and out again.



In a flash, Bambridge was surrounded by five pleading Spaniards - even the scoreboard flashed 'GOAL!' - but he ignored their calls, denying Michel what would have gone down as one of the great World Cup goals. Replays on TV showed the ball had clearly crossed the line.

At full-time, Spain were left feeling even more hard done by. Bambridge may have disallowed a goal at the other end, as Edinho was adjudged to have used his hand to beat Andoni Zubizarreta, but he had allowed Socrates' headed winner, despite the bushy-haired Brazilian being a fraction offside.

Match-winner Socrates in the game against Spain at Mexico '86, overseen by Australian referee Chris Bambridge

It was Michel's non-goal, though, that reverberated around the world. “Even the most rabid Brazilian fan would agree that the game turned on Bambridge's decision," read the report in the Los Angeles Times.

As it was, Spain recovered to win their other group games against Northern Ireland and Algeria to follow Brazil into the latter stages. And although this was to be Bambridge's only World Cup match, it didn’t kill his reputation.

Two years later, he officiated at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. He was, until his retirement, Football Federation Victoria's Referee Development Manager and an A-League match commissioner. In February, he was honoured at the FFV's annual seminar with a gold award for long services to Victorian football.