ColoradoBear1;841902356 said:

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Seems pretty clear due to the striping on the field, navas is behind the ball by about 1 yard, thus no offsides. Of course it's harder to tell at game speed.

I do sympathize with youth league refs because parents take these things way to seriously and refs do often get singled out for bad calls in a mostly thankless task. So while homering a team to avoid heckling or worse might be a good way to practice self preservation, it's not a good argument as to what the correct call actually is.

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Yup, the one guy (bottom of the screen) who LOOKS like he might be offside may actually be level with the defender when the pass is made into the box (look at their feet -- it's close though). However, since the pass doesn't go to him but rather the other player (top of the screen) who is clearly level, there is no offside on that pass. Then the second pass is to a player who is clearly level or behind the ball when the pass is made -- again, no offside.

Anyone that plays and coaches soccer understands the risks associated by playing an offsides-trap style of defense. Basically, you are relying on:

1. Your defenders to push forward BEFORE the opposing player passes the ball.
2. The ref. It's up to the ref to call offsides and the offsides call is the most difficult, subjective call in the game for soccer refs.

By slowing the replay down you can clearly see the Spanish player who receives the pass is onside. At worst, it is very close and completely understandable for the ref to err on the side of the attacker.

The Offsides trap is typically implemented when:
1. The other team's attackers are faster than your defenders and thus getting in a footrace with the faster attacker for a through-ball will result in a solid scoring chance.

2. Your defense is exhausted.

Considering Spain's style of dominating possession it is not a stretch to conclude that by the 88th minute, the Croatian defense was absolutely exhausted from chasing the ball all game long. Also of note is that Croatia needed a goal as Italy was firmly in control on their match with Ireland. Implementing an offsides trap reduces the amount of space the defense is responsible for and allows forwards/mids to make riskier plays on the ball.

Therefore, implementing the offsides trap might not have been a bad idea but it ultimately cost Croatia the game.

Not sure how to embed video or if it is possible, so just click and listen to
the master explain offside so that even a 5 year old can understand.

sycasey;841902361 said:

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Yup, the one guy (bottom of the screen) who LOOKS like he might be offside may actually be level with the defender when the pass is made into the box (look at their feet -- it's close though). However, since the pass doesn't go to him but rather the other player (top of the screen) who is clearly level, there is no offside on that pass. Then the second pass is to a player who is clearly level or behind the ball when the pass is made -- again, no offside.

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Bingo

It all comes down to the idea of activity. Were you the intended recipient of the pass? Were you a potential or plausible recipient of a pass? No? Well then you weren't active.

TheBearsHaveWon;841901955 said:

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On this we will have to agree to disagree. I will tell you that having worked with some of these refs of which you speak, they are of the utmost integrity and many (myself included) would find your viewpoint to be cynical and not a little bit insulting. Refs work very hard to ensure an equitable game, every game and do not take lightly that it is they who are the custodians of the integrity and traditions of the game.

One aspect of soccer that many Americans have trouble with is that the Referee has the final judgement of what is "trivial" and what is not. This concept means that the same action can be completely disregarded in one game or severely sanctioned in another, depending on the "needs of the game". This is where refereeing becomes an art and the very best at it are those that are refereeing international matches.

The refs at this level have worked on developing their judgement over many hundreds of hours of instruction using various different tools and not least of all years of experience. If the players believed that the referees were coddling or protecting one team, there would be many more incidents of violence on the pitch than what is seen.

Players know when a referee is not calling an equitable match and will almost always take things into their own hands in these situations. These referees do not last long in the profession.

But as previously stated, your mileage may vary. Believe as you will.

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+1. The explanations given by TheBearsHaveWon and colorado have been spot on.