Joao Pinheiro Referee
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Referee Joao Pinheiro gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on October 22, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro impressed in last night’s Champions League showdown between Inter Milan and Arsenal.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the 38-year-old officiated the match flawlessly.
Despite being pressured to win their first high-profile game under Cristian Chivu, the Nerazzurri slumped to a 3-1 home defeat.
Therefore, they’re now at risk of missing out on an automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
However, the Serie A giants have no one but themselves to blame for this upsetting result.
Joao Pinheiro Spotless in Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal Defeat
Joao Pinheiro Referee
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Referee Joao Pinheiro gestures during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Manchester City and FK Crvena zvezda at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Though Inter appealed for offside when Gabriel Jesus broke the deadlock, Luis Henrique had played his compatriot onside.
Meanwhile, the ball never left the play when Leandro Trossard headed it back to Jesus for Arsenal’s second.
It’s also worth noting that Pinheiro was correct not to award Inter a penalty for William Saliba’s ‘soft’ foul on Lautaro Martinez.
The only blemish on the Portuguese referee’s faultless display was his decision not to give Eberechi Eze a yellow card for tripping Nicolo Barella.