World Cup Red Cards: Moments of Madness at the World Cup

In the latest instalment of our World Cup blog, we look back at some of the times when players were given marching orders.

Some of the most memorable World Cup red cards were shown during the 2014 World cup.  Being sent off is the ultimate punishment in football.

Kaka was sent off in the 2010 World Cup against Ivory Coast. He was playing well and had an assist in Luis Fabiano's first goal. Kaka is not known for full-blooded tackles. He is a soft-spoken and talented Brazilian midfielder. The referee gave him another yellow card. It is probably the most under-deserving of red cards in World Cups.

France lost the World Cup 2002 to Denmark. Thierry Henry was sent off in the second match against Uruguay. France finished bottom of the group. At club level, Thiered's Arsenal won the FA Cup and finished runners-up to Manchester United in Premier League.

The 2006 World Cup round of 16 tie between Netherlands and Portugal was the occasion for the highest number of cards in a single match played in Germany. Valentin Ivanov issued four red and sixteen yellow cards on five Dutch players and eleven Portuguese players. FIFA President Sepp Blatter suggested the Russian should have given himself a yellow card.

The 1990 World Cup round of 16 matches between Germany and the Netherlands was filled with emotion. The game's highlight was Rudi Voller and Frank Rijkaard's spat. Both players were sent off. For Vollern it was another example of Fifa World Cups red cards that should never have been shown.

Josip Simunic was sent off in the ninetieth minute of a World Cup match between Australia and Croatia. He is the most booked player in a single match with three yellow cards and one red card. He was shown two yellow and two red cards without being sent of.

The Netherlands lost the World Cup final to Spain in 2010. John Heitinga was sent off in the 109th minute. Andres Iniesta scored the winning goal. He is currently Jong Ajax’s manager. His son is a promising footballer. Heitenga's son has been taught to count to ten before reacting.

Luis Suarez was sent off in 2010 World Cup quarter-final against Ghana. The game ended 1-1 after extra time. He was celebrating after the penalty kick. The team lost in a penalty shoot-out. Pelle predicted that Africa would win the World cup in his lifetime. By 2010, no African team had ever been to the tournament’s semi-finals.

Wayne Rooney was sent off during the 2006 World Cup for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho. Ronaldo was seen winking at the Portugal bench. The incident was forgotten and the Manchester United players went on to win the Premier League trophy together.   in the end, Ronaldo and Rooney won the World cup together again.

Zinedine Zidane was sent off in the World Cup final of 2006 against Italy. He was the captain of France's team that won the tournament. Zizou headbutted Marco Materazzi after a bitter exchange of words. Matersi had mentioned Zidsane's sister in an insult.

David Beckham was sent off in the 1998 World Cup against Argentina. Beckham kicked Diego Simeone in retaliation for a foul. England lost the match 4-3 on penalties and Beckham's team was knocked out. Argentina only played one more game and were knocked by the Netherlands in quarter-finals. Effigies of Manchester United players were burnt at football grounds around the country. The 2022 World Cups starts on November 21, 2022.