Slammed referee Mateu Lahoz sent HOME from World Cup after chaotic Argentina clash with Holland and Messi criticism

UNDER fire referee Mateu Lahoz has reportedly been sent home after officiating Argentina's chaotic clash with Holland in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi led the criticism of his performance after the ref dished out a record number of yellow cards for a World Cup game.

As many as 15 players received a booking on the field while Denzel Dumfries was sent off after the penalty shoot-out.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni and coach Walter Samuel also saw yellow.

report that the Spanish ref has now been given his marching orders after his widely-criticised display.

They report he will not be given another game and has been sent home after the quarter-final.

Despite Argentina winning out on penalties - and will now play Croatia in the semi-finals - it was their players who appeared most annoyed at Lahoz.

After the game, Messi said: "I think Fifa must take care of this, it cannot put a referee like that for a match of such magnitude, of such importance.

"The referee cannot fail to be up to the task."

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was even more scathing in his assessment of the "useless" referee.

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The Aston Villa stopper said: "The ref gave everything to them. It all turned upside down.

"He gave 10 minutes extra time for no reason. He just wanted them to score. 

"That referee is crazy. Arrogant. You say something to him and he talks back to you. It's crazy. Because Spain were eliminated, he wanted to eliminate us. 

"He is the worst referee at the World Cup. Hopefully we won’t have him again - he’s useless.”

Argentina won the ill-tempered clash on penalties after a thrilling and chaotic 120 minutes.

Messi found Nahuel Molina with a brilliant pass in the first-half as Scaloni's side took the lead.

The 35-year-old talisman then converted from the spot in the 73rd minute to seemingly settle the game.

But two dramatic and late goals from Wout Weghorst sent the tie to extra-time.

The Burnley loanee later clashed with Messi during the post-match interviews, while the PSG star also lashed out at Holland boss Louis van Gaal.