Serious offense to ‘Huevo’ Acuña: was the intervention of the VAR necessary for the eventual expulsion of Araujo?

Argentina and Mexico played a sparkling first half, with high intensity but almost without danger. In this context, a controversy arose over the Lusail stadium: Marco Acuna received a harsh violation of Nestor Araujo that the referee Daniele Orsato sanctioned with a yellow card. But was it up to the VAR to call to examine him for possible expulsion?

The action took place in midfield, after a partial recovery by Lionel Messi, who deflected the ball to the left side where, going to the ground, Acuña arrived in the first instance. Araujo also slipped on the grass but lifted his left leg too much and hit Huevo’s right calf.

Orsato immediately got the yellow card from the Mexican defender, who went far, but the question remained in the air whether calling up the VAR would have been feasible, due to a possible expulsion for rough play.

A few minutes later, what was strong was Acuña himself, stepping on Kevin Álvarez when he was trying to reach the end of the pitch to try and send in a cross.