When there's a match at any level--even youth level-- when the match is physical on one or both sides, it is difficult for any referee to look good. One side will argue that no foul should have been called while the other is arguing for a red or yellow card. As a result, spectators with or without a rooting interest will claim that control of the match was lost. It isn't NBA basketball where a double foul can be issued. Soccer has legal contact, but it all depends on your rooting interest as to whether to "let them play" or call everything a foul.
There are different ways of controlling a game depending on the level of play. I do youth soccer games and in some I will allow a certain amount of physicality. In others, I'll call it close for the first 5-10 minutes of a half (just calling fouls, not necessarily with cards) which can prevent escalation of the battle.
In the case of England-Colombia a certain amount was tolerated, albeit with verbal warnings. Talking tot he players usually (but not always) helps. When Colombia ramped up their chippiness following the England goal, it took a series of yellow cards, but the game calmed down to being about soccer, not a brawl. That is to the credit of the referee. The rest of the world is so much more passionate about the game that in the US that the arguing and complaining to the refs will never stop. Cards are typically only issued for dissent when certain language is used or the bitching goes on in spite of warnings.
That being said, what I'd like to see a the professional level, would be more yellow cards issued for embellishment of injuries, such as Suarez when he grabbed his head and rolled aorund on the ground in agony when he got nudged in the back. It is hard to do that to Neymar, since his leg was stepped on, but as much as he overplayed it, you cant really tell how much (if at all) he was hurt.
The other beef I have is that kids--especially boys--often mimic the gestures and negastive behaviors of those they see on TV.
