Argentina scored a thrilling 4-3 penalty shootout win against Netherlands on Friday, securing an appearance at the World Cup semifinals, but the game is remembered by the 18 yellows as well as one red handed to Spanish Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz to set records.
In a thrilling game after leading 2-0 by the goal of Lionel Messi and his assistance, Argentina threw away their advantage in a tense final loss in regulation time. Netherlands were equalized within the 11th minute in the second half’s delay time when Wout Weghorst scored after midfielder Teun Koopmeiners was on the pitch to collect an open kick from an edge in the middle of the field, before sending a ball through the wall to allow the striker to score.
Argentina goalie Emiliano Martinez stopped two attempts in the shootout. Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive penalty. However, tensions rose over when the teams fought often throughout the game in what was dubbed”the “Battle of Lusail.”
At one point, Leandro Paredes hit the ball towards to the direction of Netherlands bench, and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk responded by striking Paredes on the floor. The defender Denzel Dumfries was slapped with two yellow card in rapid sequence during shooting penalty.
In all 15 players were awarded a card which is an unprecedented World Cup record.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee because you can’t be honest,” Messi who argued with Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal after the game and told Argentine TV. “If you talk they sanction you; FIFA must think about it, they can’t put a referee who isn’t up to the task for these instances.”
The complete listing of yellow card issued by Netherlands against. Argentina:
– Walter Samuel (31′) – Argentina coaching staff
– Jurrien Timber (43′)
– Marcos Acuna (43′)
– Cristian Romero (45′)
– Wout Weghorst (45+2′)
– Memphis Depay (76′)
– Lisandro Martinez (76′)
– Steven Berghuis (88′)
– Leandro Paredes (89′)
– Lionel Scaloni (90′) – Argentina manager
– Lionel Messi (90+10′)
– Nicolas Otamendi (90+12′)
– Steven Bergwijn (91′) – ET
– Gonzalo Montiel (109′) – ET
– German Pezzella (112′) – ET
– Denzel Dumfries (128′) – Penalty shootout
— Denzel Dumfries (129′) Shootout for penalties (2nd the yellow is red)
– Noa Lang (129′) – Penalty shootout
The Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was liberal when it came to using Yellow card. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
Here’s a listing of some others World Cup games to have played with a variety of cards. Notably, the first time that yellow and red cards were played was during in the year 1970 at the World Cup in Mexico.
2002 – Cameroon against. Germany (16)
Prior to 2022’s World Cup, the record for the most yellow card incidents was set in the round-of-16 game in the 1994 round-of-16 match between Nigeria and Italy There were only nine.
But, Senegal vs. Uruguay’s 3-3 draw was marred by 12 yellow cards before Germany’s 2-0 victory against Cameroon in the exact same match, saw 16 players booked, as well as two dismissed by Spanish referee Antonio Jesus Lopez Nieto.
Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien-Foe as well as Germany forward Carsten Jancker were both booked in less than 10 minutes. the German’s Carsten Ramelow was dismissed within the first 40 seconds due to frequent violations. Nine cards were handed out in the first half, and another seven were issued after Cameroon substitution Patrick Ruffo was sent off at 78 minutes.
2006 – Portugal against. Netherlands (16)
The famous “Battle of Nuremberg” in the round of 16 technically had 16 yellows however, four of them were second yellows which led to the red.
It took just 2 minutes Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel to get himself in the book, and four yellow cards were issued prior to the end of the first half, with another one for Portugal’s Costinha for handball.
The 11th yellow occurred in the second period after a touchline fight was sparked at the end of 50 minutes. and then another incident occurred when Khalid Boulahrouz was sent off in the 63rd minute for being slapped by Luis Figo.
Both teams were at 10 players, Deco was sent off in the 78th minute, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was dismissed in the 95th minute.
Oh and the final score was 1-1 to Portugal.
2010 – Netherlands 2010 – Netherlands. Spain (14)
Nigel de Jong’s karate punch on Xabi Alonso was arousing attention. CARL DE SOUZA
Another game that involved Netherlands and this time they were playing in it was the World Cup final and it was played to an extra-time finish.
Five cards were scored during the first half including the famous Nigel de Jong Karate kick to Xabi Alonso being the most memorable out of the group. Four more were recorded during the 2nd.
After the game was tied in the 90th minute, Netherlands defender John Heitinga was booked for second time after 108 minutes. Andres Iniesta scored Spain the victory by scoring four minutes prior to the final.
