More often than not, a red card means the team who received it will suffer for the rest of the game. But there are exceptions which continue to prove that sport is everything except an exact science. Impact Media put together a list of the best performances with a man down.
Toronto 0-1 Montreal, 2016
MLS Regular season
Red card: Calum Mallace
The Impact’s first win at BMO Field was definitely not a walk in the park. After Calum Mallace was harshly sent off at the end of the first half, the Bleu-blanc-noir had to fall back and wait for counterattacking opportunities to create chances. That is exactly what happened when, on a goal kick by Evan Bush, Mancosu flicked the ball on to Oduro who, while falling, sent the ball to Piatti. The Argentine maestro was more than happy to dribble once, twice, and to finish in the bottom corner of Alex Bono’s net.
Bolton 2-3 Arsenal, 2008
Premier League
Red card: Abou Diaby
Already trailing by a goal, Arsenal sees its hopes fade ever so slightly when Abou Diaby sees red for the kind of tackle that too often sent him to the operation table. Bolton would double its lead through Matthew Taylor before the break, but the Gunners would stand and score three times in the second half on this cold, rainy winter day in northern England. A true character win.
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea, 2012
Semi-final return leg, UEFA Champions League
Red card: John Terry
After a 1-0 home win thanks to Didier Drogba’s goal, the Blues travel to Catalonia for this Champions League semi-final return leg. They have their work cut out for them, as the Blaugrana have a devastating attack at home. Chelsea will need that infamous away goal to hope to progress, but Sergio Busquets opens the scoring only two minutes before John Terry is given his marching orders for using excessive force on Alexis Sánchez. Iniesta would double Barcelona’s lead moments later, but Ramires gives the Londoners a lifeline by chipping Valdés on the stroke of half-time. Barça would spend the whole second half knocking on Petr Čech’s door to no avail, and Fernando Torres seals the qualification in injury time.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-4 Manchester City, 2004
Replay, FA Cup 4th round
Red card: Joey Barton
It is a Manchester City from another era that travels south to White Hart Lane for this FA Cup tie: the group led by Sheikh Mansour would only buy the club in 2008. Tottenham fights at even strength against the Citizens and takes advantage in the first half, putting three past Arason. Legendary bad boy Joey Barton also honours his reputation by getting in the referee’s book twice in two minutes right before half-time. But only four minutes into the second half, Spurs start imploding thanks to Sylvain Distin’s goal. Bosvelt and Shaun Wright-Phillips put everyone back to the starting blocks, and Macken puts shame on Tottenham by heading in the winner in added time.
Cameroon 1-0 Argentina, 1990
Opening game, FIFA World Cup
Red cards: André Kana-Biyik, Benjamin Massing
Nobody really rated Cameroon’s chances against the reigning world champions in this 1990 World Cup opening game at San Siro, in Milan. Maradona and co. thought their task was going to be even easier when Kana-Biyik saw red in the 61st minute, but Cameroon would do what no one had ever done in a World Cup by taking the lead with a man down through Omam-Biyik. The Lions indomptables would end the game with only 9 players on the pitch but the Argentines could not mount a comeback.
Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid, 2016
La Liga
Red card: Sergio Ramos
A whopping 7.5 yellow cards per game: El Clásico is Europe’s roughest game. Dismissals are common in this legendary rivalry and, during the last game between both clubs, it was Sergio Ramos who felt the referee’s wrath in the 83rd minute, with the score tied at 1-1. Only two minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo would take matters into his own hands by finishing off Gareth Bale’s action. Zidane wins his first game as a manager against the eternal rival and Real Madrid climb closer to the top – but it would be too little, too late.
Newcastle United 5-1 Tottenham Hotspur, 2016
Last game of the season, Premier League
Red card: Aleksandar Mitrović
As the Magpies bid farewell to the Premier League, Tottenham needs a win to ensure a first finish above archrival Arsenal since 1995. In a few weeks, the Spurs go from potential title winners to a team well-beaten by a relegated club. Supporters at St James’ Park even make fun of the travelling Londoners by informing them of the score at the Emirates, where Arsenal leads 2-0 on the way to a 4-0 beating of Aston Villa. If you did not understand this reference in the movie In Bruges, well, here you go.
