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Ex-England star Gary Lineker has put 2022 World Cup referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz on blast for the multiple yellow cards he handed out during the Argentina versus the Netherlands quarter-final clash in Doha on Friday night.
Lineker said that Mateu Lahoz’s card-happy behavior during the feisty clash made “Mike Dean seem shy.” In total the referee handed out 17 bookings in the game, which saw several comings together between the sides as tempers boiled over.
The game saw the Lionel Messi led Argentina go up two goals to nil on 73 minutes but two Wout Weghorst goals saw the Dutch complete a fightback and take the game to extra-time. No goals were scored in additional time so the game went to a penalty shoout-out, where Argentina won and they now progress into a semi-final clash against Croatia.
Refereeing Ructions
Many incidents took place during the game as the Dutch and Argentineans fought for what was at stake but it was Lahoz’s antics which caught the eye of many viewers. As well as the 17 yellow cards the official brandished, he made several questionable decisions during normal play and also sent off Denzel Dumfries after the final whistle.
Despite a number of fearsome and foul-like challenges occurring throughout the game, Lahoz did not hand out any red cards despite the many bookings he gave out. The ref struggled to keep things under control for much of the second-half as there was more and more flashpoints at the Lusail Stadium.
Ex-Barcelona striker and BBC Sport pundit, Gary Lineker, reacted to the ref’s performance through social media platform Twitter . In his criticism of the game official, Lineker compared Lahoz to controversial ex-Premier League ref, Mike Dean, who became known for making unusual decisions and the number of cards he showed to players in games.
“13 yellow cards. This referee has always loved to be the centre of attention,” Lineker tweeted to his followers.
“Makes Mike Dean seem shy,” he added.
13 yellow cards. This referee has always loved to be the centre of attention. Makes Mike Dean seem shy.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 9, 2022
Post-match stats show that Lahoz called up to 48 fouls and made bookings, to those on the field and in the dugout, during the 120 minutes of playing time and also handed out two bookings during the penalty shoot-out to Dumfries and Noa Lang of the Netherlands.
Argentina Into the Semi-Finals
Ultimately, it would be Argentina that progressed from the penalty shoot-out after their goalkeeping hero, Emiliano Martinez, saved the first two penalties from the Dutch. Argentina did miss one of their own spot-kicks when youngster Enzo Fernandez went wide but Lautaro Martinez made no mistake with his team’s final kick to see them through to the last four of the tournament.
Argentina will face European side Croatia in the semi-final stage, which will be no easy task if they are to get through to the final. Croatia beat Brazil in a penalty shoot-out earlier on Friday to secure their spot in the semis, and prevent an all-South American clash in Doha.
The Argentineans are sure to have much support given the huge number of blue and white fans that attended the Lusail Stadium, outnumbering the Dutch by thousands. It could be this factor which gives them an edge in the next round as they attempt to advance to another World Cup final since they last appeared in 2014.
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