10 Craziest World Cup Red Cards

Many of the greatest players of all time have been known to lose their heads now and then, and Diego Maradona is no exception. During a group stage match between Brazil and Argentina, Maradona was guilty of a truly nasty challenge on Brazilian midfielder Batista.

Brazil had dominated the game and were leading 3-0, sending Argentina crashing out of the tournament. Tempers were running high through the Argentinian ranks and all of that anger spilled over when Batista was guilty of dangerous play, almost kicking one of the Argentina players in the back of the head with a very high boot.

The referee didn’t stop the game in spite of the blatant foul, and Maradona lost it, kicking Batista squarely in the stomach. He was sent off with just a few minutes left to play. Argentina did still manage to score a goal, but it was too little, too late, and the game ended in a 3-1 win for Brazil.