Absurd rule, even more absurd dismissal: Costliest red card in Otamendi's career

Given that both sides had previously secured their places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the top two teams in the South American qualifiers, Ecuador and Argentina, only needed to play a peaceful, almost friendly, match, and thus perfectly conclude their extremely successful campaigns.

Alas... They played a game with seven yellow and two red cards!

Bolivia's flight over Brazil's nest and Venezuela's epic tragedy!

Some would argue that fiery South American hearts cannot hold back and play without reaching the maximum level of passion, and it's understandable. However, in this case, their lack of self-control will have severe repercussions...

Namely, one of Argentina's most experienced players, Nicolas Otamendi, received a direct red card last night and will miss his national team's opening clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

Of course, if he gets called up, though no one doubts one of Lionel Scaloni's crucial "soldiers" will be on the team, although he'll be 38 next June.

At the same time, Otamendi became the second-oldest player to be sent off in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, behind Bolivia's Rodrigo Fontana, who was a year older when he was dismissed in 1989.

Some would claim - and we cannot help but agree - that this rule is completely absurd and that the eventual suspensions from qualifiers should be erased before the major tournament.

Still, it is what it is, and Otamendi should have known better. This way, he'll have to learn his lesson the hard way.