The 2022 World Cup festivities are edging ever closer now, but the biggest tournament in men's football certainly isn't without its darker sides, so join us here at GIVEMESPORT as we walk through the 10 worst tackles that the competition has ever seen.
10. Battle of Nuremberg (2006)
In a match of 16 yellow cards and four red cards, which foul is truly the worst? Khalid Boulahrouz’s foul on Cristiano Ronaldo that injured him and led to an early substitution? Perhaps his second yellow after a foul on Luis Figo? Or Deco’s foul on Johnny Heitinga?
Aside from Boulahrouz, Costinha, Deco and Giovanni van Bronckhorst were all sent off for second yellows in differing circumstances.
It’s unlikely that these many cards will be administered in a high-profile match again; of course, not all of these were the extreme sort of physical fouls. But there was a high degree of animosity and emotion here. Sometimes professionals can get carried away.
NUREMBERG, GERMANY - JUNE 25: Andre Ooijer (L) of the Netherlands scuffles with Portuguese players, after Khalid Boulahrouz of the Netherlands, is shown the red card by Referee Valentin Ivanov of Russia, after appearing to elbow Luis Figo of Portugal in the face during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Netherlands at the Frankenstadion on June 25, 2006 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
9. Mauro Tassotti on Luis Enrique (1994)
Mauro Tassotti only won his first Italian cap in 1992, aged 32, and was called up for the 1994 World Cup. He only made 7 appearances for the country though, and will be remembered for breaking Luis Enrique’s nose.
During stoppage time in the second half, he elbowed the future manager in the face, but the referee did not spot it or foul him. Post match, he received an eight-match ban for his actions. It would be the longest ban until Luis Suarez in 2014.
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8. Felipe Melo on Arjen Robben (2010)
Brazil had taken an early lead in this quarter-final, but Wesley Sneijder had fired two goals to give Netherlands the advantage. Any hopes of getting back into the game were snuffed when Felipe Melo tackled Arjen Robben from behind, then stomped on him while the Dutch winger was on the ground.
He was given a straight red, and it became difficult for the Brazilians to overcome the deficit with a man down. Melo lost his head and was responsible for leaving his teammates with greater difficulty.
Football - Holland v Brazil FIFA World Cup Quarter Final - South Africa 2010 - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa - 2/7/10
Holland's Nigel de Jong and Arjen Robben (C) as Referee Yuichi Nishimura (R) shows Brazil's Felipe Melo (L) a red card
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff
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7. Juan Zuniga on Neymar (2014)
After the beauty of their football and goals throughout the tournament, Colombia resorted to some good old rugged thuggery against hosts Brazil – though they received their fair share of fouls too.
But one such tackle had ramifications on the tournament: Juan Zuniga leapt for a high ball with Neymar, got the ball, but also got his knee in the back of the Brazilian. It was a fractured vertebrae, and a fractured dream for him and his country.
While it was not a malicious tackle, it cost the hosts their talisman. Any emotional toll was seen days later when they lost 7-1 to Germany.
Football - Brazil v Colombia - FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 - Quarter Final - Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil - 4/7/14
Colombia's Juan Camilo Zuniga (R) fouls Brazil's Neymar which results in him being stretchered off
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
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6. Jose Batista on Gordon Strachan (1986)
It’s an impressive feat to get sent off in 56 seconds. Jose Batista managed that against Scotland in 1986, charging towards Gordon Strachan before clattering him from the back with two feet.
It was a horrific, reckless challenge that could have led to serious injury. Uruguay managed to hold on to the point regardless, qualifying ahead of Scotland by a solitary point.
Video: The fastest red card in World Cup history
5. Leonardo on Tab Ramos (1994)
43 minutes into the round of 16 tie, Leonardo was frustrated by being marked by a few American players and swung an elbow at Tab Ramos that fractured a bone in his skull. It helps that he felt plenty of remorse in the aftermath and that it wasn’t intentional, but a moment born out of frustration.
Regardless, Ramos was left in hospital for some time and Leonardo picked up a four-match ban.
4 JUL 1994: LEONARDO OF BRAZIL IS SENT OFF BY REFEREE QUINIOU OF FRANCE FOR A CHALLENGE ON TAB RAMOS OF THE USA DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP FINALS SECOND ROUND MATCH AT STANFORD STADIUM IN PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Chris Cole/ALLSPORT
4. Battle of Santiago (1962)
You can take your pick. The game – Italy vs Chile – had plenty of tension due to off-hand comments about the state of Santiago, the host city. But it still didn’t prepare viewers for the violence to come.
The first foul took place within 12 seconds, then Italy’s Giorgio Ferrini was sent off in the eighth minute for a foul that required policemen to drag him off the pitch. The referee allowed Leonel Sanchez to punch Mario David, which happened in retaliation for a previous foul.
And then David tried to kick Sanchez in the head and got himself sent off. Sanchez broke Humberto Maschio’s nose with a punch, but stayed on the pitch. It’s the kind of high-octane violence football doesn’t see anymore.
English referee Ken Aston sends off Italian player Mario David, while an injured Chilean lies on the ground, during the match between Italy and Chile in the World Cup, Santiago, 7th June 1962. The match was remarkably violent with two Italians being sent off and another having his nose broken by a punch from a Chilean player. Italy won the match 2-0. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
3. Nigel de Jong on Xabi Alonso (2010)
Netherlands showed up for a fight as much as a football match in the 2010 World Cup final. 14 yellow cards and a red were handed out in total, but Netherlands themselves had nine and one, with 28 fouls in total.
The worst tackle by far was Nigel de Jong, who kung-fu kicked Xabi Alonso in the chest, completely missing the ball. It was a brutal tackle, and devoid of the occasion, a red card.
But it was also 28 minutes into the final and even a brave referee would hesitate to send off a man that early into football’s flagship game. So de Jong stayed on the pitch, but it’s a red card in all but name.
Football - Holland v Spain FIFA World Cup Final - South Africa 2010 - Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - 11/7/10
Holland's Nigel de Jong (R) kicks Spain's Xabi Alonso in the chest which led to a yellow card
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl Recine
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2. Harald Schumacher on Patrick Battiston (1982)
As a result of this tackle, Patrick Battiston lost two teeth, three cracked ribs, needed oxygen on the pitch and was so pale, Michel Platini thought he might be dead. He had contested for a loose ball and the collision with the keeper Harald Schumacher lift him the worse for wear.
It was a reckless challenge from a keeper that should know better not to charge with such abandon. He escaped without any caution, but his approval ratings in France were as low as it could be.
Patrick Battiston of France is carried off the field on a stretcher badly injured with a damaged vertebrae, a broken jaw and the loss of four of his front teeth after a contentious collision with goalkeeper Harald Schumacher of the Federal Republic of Germany during the 1982 FIFA World Cup semi final on 8 July 1982 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville, Spain. The Federal Republic of Germany defeated France 5-4 in a penalty shootout. (Photo by Steve Powell/Getty Images)
1. Benjamin Massing on Claudio Cannigia (1990)
The theatre of this foul is astounding. As Claudio Cannigia broke with the ball at pace, he has to avoid several tackles from the Cameroon players. He evades one, has to leap to avoid a couple of cynical lunges, but is left off-balance by the final one.
So he is unable to spot Benjamin Massing, the last man, who clatters into Cannigia, sending him flying into the air, with a couple of rolls as well. It’s such a violent tackle that Massing’s boot comes off, though the adrenalin leads him to aim a kick at Jorge Burruchaga with the shoeless foot.
Needless to say, it’s a straight red, but Massing does the job as Cameroon hold on to the 1-0 lead and kickstarts a famous tournament for them.
Video: Massing's legendary foul on Cannigia at Italia 90
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