Carlos Sanchez shown second-fastest red card in World Cup history

Carlos Sanchez created a little bit of unwanted history on Tuesday afternoon as he received the second-quickest red card in World Cup history.

Just 2 minutes and 56 seconds had elapsed of Colombia's Group H encounter with Japan when the Espanyol midfielder blocked a goalbound effort from Shinji Kagawa with his right arm inside the box.

Despite protests from the South Americans Sanchez was giving his marching orders by referee Damir Skomina, leaving his side to battle out the remaning 87 minutes a man light, with Kagawa's success from the penalty spot making their job even tougher.

While it wasn't the start Jose Pekerman's side wouldh ave had in mind, it wasn't the fastest unravelling of pre-match plans in a finals.

Uruguay got off to a torrid start in their group stage clash with Scotland in 1986, when defender Jose Batista was sent off after just 54 seconds for a wild tackle on Gordon Strachan.

Scotland, though, failed to take advantage of the extra man, with Uruguay securing a 0-0 draw to take them through to the knockout stages.

While Sanchez's red may have been notable for how quickly it was produced, it is actually the longest a tournament has gone without a sending off.

The former Aston Villa man's red came in the 15th game of the tournament, a longer wait than any finals since 1986.

Then it was Mike Sweeney of Canada who had the dubious honour of being the first to be sent off in Mexico, after the subsititute picked up two yellows in a 2-0 defeat to Hungary.