Wayne Hennessey was today the first goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup since South Africa number one Itumeleng Khune was sent off when they hosted the tournament back in 2010.
It was the first red card we’ve seen in Qatar.
With Wales level at 0-0 with a few minutes to go in a must win game against Iran in Group B, Hennessey made the huge mistake that every goalkeeper on the planet dreads. He came out of his box in an attempt to win the ball and ended up completely taking out Iran striker Mehdi Taremi. The referee somehow only gave a yellow card at first but was advised to take a look at the VAR monitor, and eventually changed his mind and sent the Wales ‘keeper off – he was replaced by Danny Ward.
Wales eventually lost 2-0 with two late goals in stoppage time by Iran.
Wayne Hennessey goes kung fu fighting 🫣#WorldcupQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/rW1xPmY8ZF
— 𝗣𝗕 (@TheFootyRef_) November 25, 2022
Have Wales Received A Sending Off At Previous World Cup?
No, Hennessey is the first Welsh player to receive a red card at a World Cup, and it’s looking increasingly likely that it will be a very costly one, with Wales needing a somewhat miracle to now progress to the knockout stages of the tournament as they face England on Tuesday.
How Many Other Goalkeepers Have Been Sent Off At A World Cup?
Hennessey became the third goalkeeper to get a red card at a World Cup.
3 – Wayne Hennessey is only the third goalkeeper ever to receive a red card at the World Cup, after Itumeleng Khune for South Africa v Uruguay in 2010 and Gianluca Pagliuca for Italy v Norway in 1994. Dismissed. pic.twitter.com/Tpdtc35i9t
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 25, 2022
Who are the other two?
Itumeleng Khune
The one before Hennessey’s was South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune who was sent off when the nation hosted the tournament back in 2010. Khune was dismissed in Bafana Bafana’s second group match, meaning he’d miss their final game of the competition against France, which they famously won.
Khune was guilty of fouling Luis Suarez of Uruguay who was in on goal.
Gianluca Pagliuca
All the way back in 1994, Italy’s Gianluca Pagliuca became the first goalkeeper ever to be sent off in a World Cup finals match after he was shown a straight red for handling outside the area during a group match against Norway.
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