The referee let him off with this one
Rangers midfielder John Lundstram was lucky to escape a yellow card in the first half of the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Lundstram started in midfield for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side against Frankfurt at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in Seville, and somehow avoiding a booking for a high boot on Sebastian Rode in the first period of the clash.
Lundstram attempted to pluck the ball out of the air, but instead, ended up planting his studs into the head of Rode – who was trying to head the ball away.
The Frankfurt captain received medical attention while on the ground, with blood pouring from his head. After a short period on the floor, he got to his feet and was strapped up.
Given that his white shirt was covered in blood, the 31-year-old had to change his jersey before coming back on to the pitch.
Rangers’ players waited anxiously to see if former Sheffield United man Lundstram would be punished, but referee Slavko Vincic opted against showing the midfielder a card.
A lively start from John Lundstram who escaped without any card for this challenge 😳#KessbenSports pic.twitter.com/myvYPIxOz3
— Kessben Media (@kessbenmedia) May 18, 2022
How did social media react?
The reaction to the challenge was somewhat mixed, with some social media users insisting that Lundstram should’ve been sent off, while others claimed that Rode lowered his head into the Rangers man’s boot.
One Twitter user said: “Just how lucky John Lundstram was?”
Just how lucky John Lundstram was? #UEL #UELfinal
— Brighton Chitorera 💙💛 (@B_Chitorera) May 18, 2022
Another added: “John Lundstram very lucky to escape without a card for his high challenge. #UELfinal”.
John Lundstram very lucky to escape without a card for his high challenge. #UELfinal
— Liam Richner (@LiamJRichner) May 18, 2022
However, other users disagreed, saying: “Doesn’t even touch him ya softy”.
Doesn’t even touch him ya softy
— 🇬🇧Michael – John Lundstram is the best on earth (@MichaelConnor27) May 18, 2022
Another person wrote: “John Lundstram has just kicked a man in the face and not even been booked, written in the stars now surely”.
John Lundstram has just kicked a man in the face and not even been booked, written in the stars now surely
— Tom Walker (@tommowalkerrr) May 18, 2022
A fifth said: “If that was granit xhaka not john lundstram he’s being sent off”.
If that was granit xhaka not john lundstram he’s being sent off
— R (@rb150282) May 18, 2022
