At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Netherlands and Argentina got into a pitch brawl in the second half thanks to Leandro Paredes.
Somehow, someway, a play in which seemingly the entire Dutch bench poured onto the pitch only resulted in one yellow card.
An Argentina player, Leandro Paredes, made two controversial tackles — the second of which was called for a foul — and then rocketed the ball into Dutch sideline. It’s unclear whether the Argentinian player knew where he kicked the ball in the moment, but the Dutch players surely took it as such.
https://twitter.com/si_soccer/status/1601319114856972288
The aftermath was stunning to say the least. Rather than back down, or let the official deal with this matter, the Netherlands bench took matters into their own hands. The Oranje rushed out onto the pitch, and Virgil Van Dijk, in particular, left a mark.
https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1601319812617146372
World Cup brawl: Leandro Paredes starts a fight
Leandro Paredes acted out wildly, making two controversial tackles in a row and then lining the ball into the Oranje bench area. The Dutch players did not take kindly to that series of events, and weren’t about to sit back and let the officials take care of matters.
Paredes was not given a red card for his mistake, and neither were any of the Netherlands players who ran onto the pitch. Virgil Van Dijk was the first to arrive at Paredes, and he made the Argentinian player pay for his flaw in judgement.
https://twitter.com/JacobsBen/status/1601320345524633600
Send on a midfielder to keep control of things and stay calm
— Enda Higgins (@endahiggins88) December 9, 2022
Paredes: pic.twitter.com/gviICHTAEg
Should be a red for Paredes, no doubt. First for the tackle, second for the strike against the bench.
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) December 9, 2022
Netherlands squad going to confront Paredes pic.twitter.com/4PkuE8LwbV
— Tackle From Behind (@tacklefromb) December 9, 2022
The Nethelands team meeting Paredes in the tunnel at full time #NEDARG pic.twitter.com/NuCG9rNBUx
— MikeKavs (@SFCMikeKavs) December 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/FCB_Lad_/status/1601321913548443648
HERE WE GO. Brawl. After the whistle for a foul, Paredes smashes the ball into the Dutch bench and they of course, react. Please someone send me a video of Van Dijk turn himself into the Hulk.
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) December 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/jackftbI/status/1601319996658896896
Live scenes of Paredes getting bounced across the pitch. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WZxl5x7afw
— That's Football! (@ThatsFootballTV) December 9, 2022
There were many more where that came from.
Paredes actions distracted from what had been a terrific match thus far. Lionel Messi contributed a goal and an assist for the first two goals of the game for Argentina. The Netherland bounced back with a goal of their own, and suddenly had a little extra motivation thanks to Paredes.