Extreme emotions and rising tension is inevitable in a sporting tournament especially in football. The sport is already filled with drama, and in its biggest stage – the FIFA World Cup – everything bizzare is about to happen. Last Friday, during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Croatia, referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz broke a new World Cup record by handing out a total of 18 yellow cards.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LfDoprYWWRI
One of the players he booked was the Argentinian superstar and future Hall-of-Famer, Lionel Messi. Messi alongside his teammate, Emiliano Martinez, slammed Lahoz and criticized the way he officiated the game. Messi was among the 17 people (players and staff) that was given a yellow card.
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Why was Messi given a yellow card on Friday?
Antonio Lahoz handed a yellow card to one of the best footballers of all time after his field goal celebration. Messi took his shirt off after scoring a goal against Netherlands. According to FIFA rules, a player shall be given a yellow card if he ever takes his shirt off generally during goal celebration, hence why Lionel Messi was booked during that game. In a post-game interview, Messi had some intriguing insights regarding Lahoz’ ways.
“You can’t be honest. But I think that FIFA has to review this. They can’t put a referee of that level for such a tight game in a quarterfinal of a World Cup. I think they should look at this.” – Lionel Messi

Lahoz and Messi go way back to La Liga back when the latter played for Barcelona.
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Despite the yellow card, Messi will be returning in the semifinals, except for his other two teammates.
Messi got away from being suspended in the semifinals after getting away from a handball call. He was already booked during extension thus it would have resulted a red card and potentially to a one-game suspension if he was called for the violation. However, two players from Argentina are suspended in the next stage of the World Cup after getting yellow cards in the group stage. Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna will be sidelined in the semifinals, which in turn, could pose a difficulty for the team.
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Argentina is one of the final four teams left in this year’s World Cup. They will be facing Croatia tomorrow, December 13, 2022 (2 p.m. ET) at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
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Meanwhile, the PSG striker is on his way to become the G.O.A.T. of football. By winning this year’s World Cup title, not only will he get over the hurdle, he will also solidify his case as the sport’s best ever to play. Alongside him is the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also considered to be the greatest footballer in history. However, CR7 was just eliminated by Morocco yesterday.
Do you think Lionel Messi will finally win his first World Cup? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.
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