FIFA World Cup Special Report: Top 10 Red Cards in History
The recent controversies about red cards and the changing of FIFA’s yellow card rule does make one remember that all this actually is linked with the issuing of red cards. Then who in history actually got the most notorious and game changing red cards?
9- Leonardo Cufre (2006 Quarter-Final) versus Germany
Cufre will be remembered as the man in history who managed to win a red card without even playing the match. After Germany won the quarter-final on penalty kicks against Argentina, Cufre got so angry that he decided to vent it out on Per Mertesacker. Ľuboš Micheľ, the referee tried to stop him by flashing a red card. The interesting thing about the attack was the Cufre was 5 feet and 9 inches tall while Mertesacker was a whooping 6 feet 6 inches.
8- David Beckham (1998Last 16) versus Argentina
Even when Beckham was youthful, he was an important part of the English team. In what was one of his most imprudent decisions, Beckham responded to Diego Simeone’s tackle with a lousy kick to his leg. Simeone took advantage and appealed to referee Kim Milton Nielsen to send off Beckham and to everyone’s surprise, that’s exactly what he did.
7- Wayne Rooney (2006Quater-Final) versus Portugal
Wayne Rooney’s departure gave a lucent reminder to Beckham’s sending off some two World Cups back. Rooney was young and a key component of the English attack. However, the Manchester United player was sent off for an irritable kick as well. The Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo kicked the star player out of the park when he used his legs against Ricardo Carvalho and eventually lost the match on penalties. The contentious part of the dismissal was that Cristiano Ronaldo, his fellow Manchester United teammate, appealed against Rooney which further the infuriated hot-headed player.
6- Igor Chislenko (1966 Semi-Final) versus West Germany
The Soviet Union was invincible at that time. They were having an unstoppable run towards the Golden trophy and had reached the semi-finals for the first time in World Cup history. The striking pair of Igor Chislenko and Valeriy are especially commendable for their performance as they were the backbone of the Russian offence. Chislenko was later sent off in the second half of the match by referee Concetto Lo Bello. This made Porkuyan’s job much harder and though he scored a goal, his team later lost the match by 2-1. Who knows what would have happened if that red card wasn’t given.
5- Jonas Thern (1994Semi-Final) versus Brazil
The name of Jonas Thern is well known as classic midfielder, but what is forgotten is his red card with the Swiss in the 1994 World Cup. Sweden qualified to semi-finals in fine fashion but the turn of fate came for them against Brazil when Thern was sent off by Referee José Torres Cadena. Just 15 minutes after, Brazil took a 1-0 lead and became the victors. They faced Italy in the finals and won on penalties making it clear that Swedish had a strong chance to proceed to the final.
4- Horation Troche (1966Quater-Final) versus West Germany
Uruguayan Defender Horacio Troche wasn’t known as a boxer but a footballer, but a career change could have done him good when he punched West Germany's Uwe Seeler in the ear in the 1966 World Cup. As they were already a goal down, having Troche sent off was far from ideal for Uruguay. It was a time when Uruguay had started to witness its decline after winning the World Cup in 1950. The match was levelled at 1-1 before the red card but the end saw 3 goals.
3- Antonio Rattin (1966 Quarter-Final) versus England
The 1966’s World Cup is remembered for its sensational notoriousness. One such example was when Argentine midfielder Antonio Rattin was sent off by Referee Rudolph Kleitlein who understood Rattin's language but was sure of his use of profanity. Rattin was so furious that he spat on the Queen’s arriving red carpet and eventually had to be taken out by security. England ultimately scored the winner in the 78th minute but the match is remembered as another example of the bitter rivalry present between the two nations.
2- Zinedine Zidane (2006 Final) versus Italy
This was one World Cup final that will has been etched into history for its paramount level of insanity and tragedies. The charismatic French captain Zinedine Zidane was just awarded the Golden Ball for being the best player of the competition and it was widely expected that France would conqueror Italy and Zidane would be hailed as the hero to accomplish that feat. But time and fate are one of the cruellest teachers as they taught everyone once again not to perceive but believe. The French skipper was found guilty by Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo after he saw a replay in which Zidane head butted Marco Materazzi after the Italian used abusive language. The match went down to a penalty shoot-out which was won by Italy. Another saddening factor was that the whole world was waiting for the legendary Zidane to end his career, becoming the 11th hour Samaritan for France but instead shame and humility was what Zidance left the stadium.
1-Pedro Monzon (1990 Final) versus West Germany
This red card was probably the only obstacle that the famous idol Diego Maradona had in becoming the ‘God of the Argentine’. In the final against West Germany, Pedro Monzon made a poor judgement with Oscar Ruggeri at the start of the second half from referee Edgardo Codesal. Beating Germany with 10-men was no easy task and under pressure, they lost the few chances that they had along with missing a penalty. If they had become the World Champions, then their domination in the world would have further solidified.
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