[Positioning / Penalty Kick] The referee's run from behind the halfway line to right next to the challenge to award a penalty kick

Look at how quickly the referee switched into action and at their excellent run towards the challenge in response to a fast attack from a through ball. Just before the through ball was played in behind, the referee was positioned behind the halfway line. The ball was then played into the space ahead, creating a fast-moving situation that turned into a one-on-one with the goalkeeper in an instant. When play develops this suddenly, it is very difficult for match officials to keep up with the incident. The referee, however, quickly read the situation as the pass was played, shifted up a gear and started sprinting at once. By the moment the attacking player and the goalkeeper came together, the referee had run to a position right next to the challenge. Having covered such a long distance and got right up close to the challenge, the referee awarded the penalty kick with confidence. With a quick reaction to the through ball and the fitness to run all the way, this was an excellent piece of refereeing and a model for match officials.