Lautaro Martinez escapes red card that would have ruled him out against England despite appearing to break celebration rule

Lautaro Martinez sparked wild celebrations as his 121st minute goal sealed Argentina’s place in the World Cup semi-final.

They beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time in their quarter-final.

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Julian Alvarez hit a screamer before Martinez made sure his side booked their place to face England next Wednesday.

The Inter Milan striker jumped over the advertising board to celebrate with the supporters at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The referee appeared to use his discretion and opted not to show the 28-year-old a yellow card for his celebration.

Martinez was already on a yellow card, meaning he would have been sent off.

The striker would then have been unavailable to face England in the World Cup semi-final.

IFAB rules on celebration yellow cards

According to Law 12, players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting.

Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible.

A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:

• Removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt
• Climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues
• Acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
• Covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item

Argentina vs Switzerland verdict

There was no starring role for Lionel Messi in the 3-1 extra-time win.

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Argentina’s other stars had to step up to ensure their pursuit of retaining the World Cup remained on.

Co-commentator for the match, former Chelsea star Scott Minto, told talkSPORT: “It wasn’t Lionel Messi this time, but it’s about time others kind of stepped up. Julian Alvarez had a great World Cup last time out, but a bit of a quiet one this time. But he’s certainly come to the party now. 

“That is, you know, one of the great World Cup goals. Picking up the ball 20, 25 yards out, and it just sat up nicely. 

“But he struck it absolutely perfectly, so sweetly, that no keeper in the world would have stopped it. 

“He just felt that they didn’t really necessarily need that third goal. That was the one to break the hearts and spirits of Switzerland.

“For them to go down the other end would be so difficult to do, but you’ve got to give it to Argentina. 

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“Massive credit to Switzerland. Again, they’ve taken a top, top team, one of the top seeds, almost right to the very end.

“They did it in 2024 against England. They’ve done it here, not quite with penalties this time, but extra time. 

“But Argentina just know how to win, don’t they? They’re an amazing footballing country.”

England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with commentary live on talkSPORT.