Lokomotiv Moscow’s Brazilian keeper Guilherme had himself a night to remember, pulling off five saves, many of the remarkable variety. But the lasting imagery of Atlético Madrid’s 1-1 draw on Tuesday will be that of the Luis Suárez yellow card for a bit of tomfoolery.
Leading 1-0 after 20 minutes, Héctor Herrera had a ball deflect off his arm in the box, which can mean only one thing these days: VAR. Referee Viktor Kassai was asked to watch the replay on the pitch-side monitor to check out the infringement. He was joined by Suárez, who wanted to sneak a peek himself.
Apparently too close for Kassai’s liking (or perhaps he said something the ref didn’t like) Suárez received a double whammy: He was shown a yellow card and Kassai awarded Lokomotiv a penalty.
Was that harsh? Probably. But Suárez does have a reputation for chicanery.
Here’s video of the whole penalty, VAR check, Luis Suárez yellow card and the PK converted by Anton Miranchuk to even the score at 1-1.
Luis Suárez Yellow Card vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Despite conceding the penalty kick, Herrera assisted on his side’s 18th-minute goal, his cross finding the noggin of José María Giménez.
And the Mexico international nearly had a hockey assist on this spectacular effort that struck the woodwork.
The match finished in a 1-1 draw but not for lack of trying. Atleti peppered Guilherme’s goal, striking the post nearly half a dozen times but unable to find a second goal. The result isn’t disastrous for Diego Simeone’s side (it’s never easy playing in Russia) but he’ll have felt his side deserved to leave Moscow with all three points.