Lahoz’s match against the Dutch side set a new World Cup record for the most cards issued in a single game. The official handed out 18 yellow cards and one red card, resulting in a total of 19 bookings. This surpassed the previous record of 18 cards issued during the Portugal versus Netherlands round of 16 match in the 2006 tournament, an encounter popularly known as the “Battle of Nuremberg.” While the video assistant referee (VAR) team was retained for the remainder of the tournament, Lahoz has reportedly already departed Qatar.
The controversy centered on Lahoz’s management of a match that descended into disorder in its final minutes. With Argentina leading 2-1 in the 88th minute, tensions exploded after Leandro Paredes fouled Nathan Ake and then fired the ball toward the Dutch bench. The incident triggered a melee involving players from both teams, culminating in Virgil van Dijk confronting Paredes. The Dutch defense, including Denzel Dumfries, was eventually sent off during the penalty shootout, but the on-field chaos had already defined the match.
Both teams voiced sharp dissent toward the referee. Lionel Messi, whose performance was central to Argentina’s victory, declined to engage in detailed criticism during his post-match press conference, stating, “I don’t want to talk about the referee because you can’t be honest. If you talk they sanction you; FIFA must think about it, they can’t put a referee who isn’t up to the task for these instances.” Messi’s comments highlighted a perception that the official was unprepared for the intensity of a World Cup knockout stage.
Emiliano Martínez, the Argentine goalkeeper who secured two saves in the penalty shootout, was more direct in his assessment. “The referee was giving everything to them,” Martínez said. “He gave 10 minutes for no reason. … He just wanted them to score. He is useless.” The reference to added time alludes to the ten minutes of stoppage time awarded in regulation, during which the Netherlands scored to equalize and force extra time. Earlier in the match, Lahoz had opted not to book Messi for a deliberate handball, a decision that fueled arguments from the Argentine camp regarding inconsistent disciplinary standards.
The criticism was not limited to the Argentine side. Frenkie de Jong, the midfielder for both the Netherlands and Barcelona, described Lahoz’s display as “scandalous.” The reaction from the Dutch camp was compounded by the physicality of the match and the perceived leniency toward Argentine players in certain key moments.
The fallout from the quarterfinal has extended beyond the tournament. Upon returning to domestic duties in Spain, Lahoz faced further scrutiny. In a La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol, he set another domestic record for the number of cards issued. Additionally, in a Copa del Rey clash against Linares, Lahoz sent off Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli just 17 minutes into the game. These subsequent incidents have intensified the debate surrounding the referee’s consistency and temperament.
Spanish football authorities have reportedly decided to leave Lahoz out of the upcoming weekend’s La Liga matches. With the World Cup concluding, Lahoz is facing a significant professional crossroads. Reports indicate that the 45-year-old plans to retire at the end of the current season, a decision that appears to be influenced by the intense and sustained criticism he has received from club teams, national squads, and the broader footballing public over the past month.
The removal of Lahoz from the World Cup lineup underscores the heightened scrutiny placed on match officials in major tournaments. As the competition moves toward the semifinals and final, FIFA has opted for a change in officiating personnel, effectively eliminating the referee who was at the center of one of the most contentious matches in recent World Cup history.
