CRO vs ARG: Why Messi Should Have Seen Red Yesterday

Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties to advance to the semifinals, where they will face Croatia. Lionel Messi was fortunate not to have received his marching orders last night.

Yesterday’s match was highlighted by referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who issued 15 yellow cards, nine of which were to Argentine players.

Messi was one of the players to receive a yellow card late in the second half, but he should have received one earlier.

Messi deliberately handled the ball in the 55th minute, with Argentina still leading 1-0, and match official Antonio chose to let Messi go unpunished.

If Messi had received a yellow card for that foul play, he would have been sent off for a second bookable offense when the yellow card he eventually received in 90+10 minutes was added.

Surprisingly, Messi complained bitterly about the same referee who let him off the hook by saying Antonio Mateu was not “up to the task” during his post-match interview.