When football becomes MMA

Nuremberg, June 25, 2006. Portugal and the Netherlands were facing each other for the first time in the final phase of a World Cup, in a game counting for the round of 16. For many, at first glance, it would be a normal game, like Portugal x Holland in the semi-finals of Euro 2004, at the Alvalade Stadium, in which the Portuguese had won by two balls to one with a superb goal from Maniche.

But the 2006 game would be anything but normal. On the contrary, it went down in World Cup history as the game with the most cards ever. A battle on the pitch, mythical, epic, which, in common with Lisbon, had little more than a spectacular goal from Maniche.

Portugal had passed the first phase without blemish, with a team with Figo, Deco, and a young Cristiano Ronaldo in the spotlight. On the other side, a group of stars led by Van Basten, where Van der Sar, Sneijder, Van Persie, and Robben shone.

Russian Valentin Ivanov proved not to be up to the occasion. Cristiano Ronaldo was the target of a murderous tackle from Boulahrouz and had to leave, the game still not heating up. The Dutchman remained unpunished on the field.

16 yellow and four red were distributed between the two teams. On the Portuguese side, Costinha and Deco would be expelled, while for Laranja Clockwork, Boulahrouz and Van Bronckhorst left the field early. The image of Deco and Van Bronckhorst sitting side by side, after the expulsion, watching the game unfold is unforgettable.

Until the end, the Portuguese and Dutch played a game bordering on violence, with kicks, pushes, attacks, and lots of jumping to the ground. On the pitch, 22 players - at the end 18. they fought for every inch of the field to help their team move forward.

In the end, Portugal beat Portugal, who in the next game and semi-final paid dearly for the rain of cards they received in Nuremberg, but the epic victory of the national colors, in one of the most electrifying games ever, remains in history.

It's no news to anyone that after the match, there was no shortage of complaints from both delegations about the refereeing. Even the controversial Joseph Blatter, at the time president of FIFA, stated that the “judge deserved a yellow card for his performance and was not up to the task”.

The match in question recorded the highest number of expulsions in World Cups. In total, there were 4 red cards (2 for each side) in addition to the 16 yellow cards issued. It was undoubtedly a night in which violence on the field gained the spotlight and became the protagonist of the spectacle while football became a supporting role.

The Portuguese team reached the semi-finals in that edition. Eliminating England, in the quarterfinals, and then fell to France. In the third-place decision, they ended up losing to hosts Germany 3-1.

Finally, in the 2006 grand final, Italy, with Pirlo, Del Piero, Totti, and co, beat France, which had Zidane, sent off for headbutting Materazzi, 5-3 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw. in normal time.

As we look ahead to the next World Cup, our hearts brim with anticipation for more jaw-dropping showdowns that become timeless legends, reaffirming our deep love for this extraordinary tournament. The world is once more on the edge of its seat, eagerly counting down to relish the excitement, the grandeur, and those indelible moments that only the World Cup has the power to deliver.

I don´t know about you but i can´t wait!