FIFA World Cup: 5 players who were shown 'red card' in final

The FIFA World Cup is the most anticipated event in football as millions of people gather to see the greatest teams battle it out for world football’s ultimate prize.

Over the years, many World Cup finals have been the centre of excitement, drama and controversy with some of the greatest players being given red-card in the finals.

With just five days left for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to start, let’s have a look at the players who were sent off in the final.

Pedro Monzon, 1990

During a match between West Germany and Argentina, referee Edgardo Codesal flashed four yellow cards over the course. And in the 65th minute, with the game still scoreless, the World Cup Final had its first sending-off. The player in question was Club Atletico Independiente defender Pedro Monzon, who was introduced at the restart in place of Oscar Ruggeri. Monzon was shown a straight red card after hacking down Jurgen Klinsmann. His appearance in the game lasted for just 20 minutes.

Gustavo Dezotti, 1990

Less than two minutes after Pedro Monzon was sent off, Argentina was further reduced to nine men when Gustavo Dezotti joined his teammate for an early bath. Frustrated at having conceded a late goal that would prove to be the winner, Dezotti charged into Jurgen Kohler near the corner flag, and the referee showed him a second yellow, his first having been earned only five minutes after kickoff.

Marcel Desailly, 1998

The 1998 World Cup Final remains implanted in our minds for many things, a dismal Brazil performance and Zidane’s double. In the same game, a red card was also shown to Marcel Desailly in the 68th minute, just 20 minutes after he had gone into referee Said Belqola’s book for the first time for dissent. France, who led 2-0 at the time thanks to a pair of Zidane goals, put the finishing touches on their victory in the third minute of second-half stoppage time through Emmanuel Petit.

Zinedine Zidane, 2006

Zinedine Zidane was issued a straight red card for his head-butt to the chest of Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final. Zidane, the France captain, and Materazzi, the Italy defender, seemed to have their fates intertwined throughout the contest in Berlin. Midway through the first period of extra time Zidane, apparently provoked by Materazzi, stopped in his tracks and head-butted his opponent, forcing the referee to present a red card.

John Heitinga, 2010

In the 2010 Final between the Netherlands and Spain in South Africa referee Howard Webb presented 14 yellow cards, two of which were shown to defender John Heitinga. Heitinga, who had initially been booked just shy of the hour mark, was finally ejected minute after hauling down Andres Iniesta. Just seven minutes later it was Iniesta scoring to deliver his team their first World Cup.