In 2002, Pierluigi Collina stepped onto the pitch in Yokohama, Japan, to referee the FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany. He was nervous. This was a huge game between two soccer-crazy nations, and he knew the 70,000 fans in the stadium and a billion more watching on TV would scrutinize every decision.

A slew of controversy had marred the tournament. Questionable refereeing decisions by an Ecuadorian official in the match between Italy and South Korea triggered 400,000 complaints, allegations of corruption, and outrage in the Italian media. Collina – voted the world’s best referee six times in a row – knew a bad call in the final could cost him his career.

“You are excited because it’s something big, and you are nervous,” recalls Collina, who has also refereed the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final and the 1996 Olympics Final. “I think being nervous is good. Being a bit nervous keeps you alert and on the edge.”

Just as a referee has a split-second to make a…