Why Lautaro Martinez didn't receive second booking for going into crowd when other players have

Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez vaulted the advertising hoardings to celebrate with supporters after scoring their third goal against Switzerland on Saturday.

Martinez's second goal of the World Cup ensured that the reigning champions would progress to the semi-finals, where they will face Thomas Tuchel's England in Atlanta on Wednesday.

But fans are asking whether the Inter Milan captain should be available to face the Three Lions.

Argentina had a 2-1 lead over the 10-man Swiss in extra time thanks to a tremendous strike from Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez.

Martinez scored a third in stoppage time to put the result in Kansas City beyond any doubt, leaping over the digital board to herald the 2022 winners' place in the semi-finals after rolling the ball home on the break.

Typically, jumping into the crowd would result in a yellow card. It would have been Martinez's second, resulting in his dismissal and an automatic one-match suspension that would have ruled him out against England.

The 28-year-old avoided sanctions from match referee Joao Pinheiro, sparking questions about Martinez's lack of punishment.

Martinez celebrates by jumping in the crowd. Image credit: Getty

Unlike the ban he would have faced had he been issued with a second yellow card, Martinez's offence does not in fact carry an automatic yellow card.

Pinheiro had the right to exercise his discretion according to the Laws of the Game, football's rule book.

Celebration of goals is covered by Law 12, which governs fouls and misconduct and provides the framework by which referees decide whether or not to caution celebrating players.

"Players can celebrate when a goal is scored, but the celebration must not be excessive; choreographed celebrations are not encouraged and must not cause excessive time-wasting," reads Law 12.

"Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible.

"A player must be cautioned, even if the goal is disallowed, for:

• Climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues
• Acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way
• Covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item
• Removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt."

Martinez didn't fulfil any of those criteria, the crucial factor being the 'manner' in which he approached the fans behind the Switzerland goal.

The yellow card he received earlier in extra time for a foul on Swiss defender Manuel Akanji will not cost Martinez a place in Argentina's final line-up if the holders beat England in midweek.

As a result of the extra round necessitated by the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, FIFA have implemented a second amnesty of yellow cards during the tournament.

Yellow cards were wiped at the end of the group stage and against after the quarter-finals, specifically to avoid a yellow card in the semi-final from leading to a suspension at the end of a mammoth knock-out phase.

Jude Bellingham, Nico O'Reilly, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi all avoided yellow cards in England's quarter-final win against Norway on Saturday.

Like Martinez, they will be available for the semi-final. Jarell Quansah will serve the second match of his two-game ban.