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Croatia assistant coach Mario Mandzukic has been sent off for his protests over Argentina’s penalty kick, scored by Lionel Messi, in their World Cup semi-final clash.
The South Americans were awarded a first-half kick after Dominik Livakovic knocked down Julian Alvarez.
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Argentina received the penalty after the collision of Alvarez and Livakovic
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Croatian players were furious with the decision
The Croatian keeper was booked for the challenge and midfielder Mateo Kovacic was also shown a yellow card, but their assistant coach was treated harder.
Former striker Mandzukic was sent off for his complaints over the penalty, with the European side collapsing after such a positive start to the game.
Lionel Messi was on hand to score Argentina’s penalty, his fifth goal at the World Cup in Qatar.
Alvarez was then able to get on the scoresheet soon after, with the Manchester City striker making a dazzling run before scoring to make it 2-0.
Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville sympathize with Croatia, both believing the kick should not have been awarded.
Neville told ITV: “Not a penalty, not at all, I didn’t think it was at the time.
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Kovacic has been warned for his protests
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While Mandzukic (left) was expelled
“The keeper comes out, he stops as the shot is about to be taken and Alvarez runs into him and knocks his leg off. What is he supposed to do? It is not a penalty. »
Keane added: “I agree, I don’t think it was a penalty, where else was it supposed to go?”
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