Argentina played some of the dirtiest WC soccer I've ever seen. Grabbing the English goalie's arms during a corner kick, regularly shoving opposing players in the back and grabbing their jerseys when they got the ball during a fast break. The referee only handed out a single yellow card, and let everything else pass.

Messi wasn't doing it so overtly, but everyone else especially Simeone, were just blatant. Have no dog in this race, but that was just gross.

[–] SaraTonin@lemmy.world 14 points 6 hours ago

4 yellow cards, 1 for England, 3 for Argentina. Martinez, Romero, and De Paul all got carded, as did Anderson

Personally, I think the ref should have started handing them out right from the start to set the tone, but then I hate dirty football. I personally think you should beat the other team by playing better football

[–] dellish@lemmy.world 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Agreed, watching the match was painful. Spain vs France was a much, much better game.

[–] eleijeep@piefed.social 2 points 2 hours ago

The refereeing in that game was arguably worse than the Argentina-England game. And this is coming from an England supporter.

[–] starlinguk@lemmy.world 7 points 8 hours ago

They've always been like that. They poisoned a player once. FIFA did nothing.

[–] save_the_humans@leminal.space 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Throughout this tournament, I'm legitimately baffled at some of the things that aren't even considered fouls, according to the announcers. Like defenders literally tackling players to the ground. The announcer; that's good clean play, no foul there, that's great defense, good "no call" by the ref. Might as well start wearing helmets and pads and calling this football now...

[–] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 7 points 5 hours ago

Rule of thumb. If they touch the ball then it's not a foul.