Explained: Why should Lautaro Martinez have been sent off vs Switzerland in FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal?

Lautaro Martinez scored the winner as Argentina secured a 3-1 win to qualify for the semi-finals.

Argentina national football team have confirmed their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, as they defeated Switzerland 3-1 at the Kansas City Stadium.

Argentina had an incredible start after Alexis Mac Allister scored a header in the 10th minute from a corner by icon Lionel Messi. That remained the only major opportunity of the first half. With both sides failing to create an attacking threat.

However, Switzerland started the second half with much more intent, pressurizing the Argentinian defence. Their efforts paid off in the 67th minute as Dan Ndoye scored a brilliant goal from a difficult angle to level the game 1-1.

Despite being restricted to 10 men after Breel Embolo was sent off in thr 72 minuter, Switzerland held on, sending the game into extra time. The tie was broken in the 112th minute, after striker Julián Álvarez scored an astonishing goal, before Lautaro Martínez added a third goal in the 121st minute to seal a 3-1 victory.

The match was heavily controversial, mostly for the referee’s decision to send off Switzerland forward Breel Embolo for simulation (diving), after VAR intervened to reverse the referee’s decision using their new power to look into scenarios of “mistaken identity”.

Another major incident that is currently being discussed among the footballing community is on Lautaro Martínez not receiving a second yellow card, causing confusion amongst the fans.

Also Read: Lautaro Martínez: List of all goals in FIFA World Cup history

Why should Lautaro Martínez have been sent off?

Lautaro Martínez’s dramatic 121st-minute goal confirmed Argentina’s 3-1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland, but his post-goal celebration has sparked massive controversy over the refereeing decisions.

Several analysts have argued that the striker should have been given a second yellow card, and subsequently a red card for his decision to jump over the pitch barriers and celebrate directly in the stands.

According to Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, players are allowed to celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive. The official regulations state that a player must be cautioned if they “climb onto the perimeter fencing and/or approach the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues.”

By jumping over the advertising boards and making a move towards the crowd, Lautaro Martínez committed a clear infringement of the rule. Since he was already carrying a yellow card from the 98th minute, another card would have triggered an automatic red card, ruling him out of the semi-final clash against England.

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