Gerard Pique should have seen red against Morocco for rash tackle, says pundit Leon Osman

Television pundits Leon Osman and Joleen Lescott were left questioning how Gerard Pique's two-footed challenge avoided a red card - or even a referral to the Video Assistant Referee [VAR] - against Morocco.

The Barcelona defender flew in, off the ground, into Morocco's Khalid Boutaib but escaped any punishment from Uzbekistan referee Ravshan Irmatov.

But speaking after Spain salvaged a 2-2 draw against the African side in the final moments, both Osman and Lescott felt the former Manchester United man was lucky to have remained on the pitch.

'I think it’s a red card,' Osman said emphatically.

'In modern football you can’t go off the ground – it’s considered out of control. Two-footed lunge, yes he gets the ball first, yes he’s on the ground when he makes contact but it’s the type of tackle that has been outlawed in the game.

'To not use VAR, (the referee) should be getting told he needs to re-look at that tackle, it was of such severity. Clear studs up, a two-footed tackle, you are not allowed to do that in the game anymore.'

Former Manchester City and Everton defender Lescott was less emphatic on the colour of card Pique should have seen but admitted it was 'disappointing' to see the referee overlook a VAR referral in that scenario.

'It’s an unnecessary tackle,' he said. 'He’s clear favourite so I am surprised he went in with that much force and intent and equally surprised he didn’t receive a yellow at all for it.

'That tackle is possibly a red. No need to go in with such force and VAR should have been used on that occasion. For me it is disappointing VAR hasn’t been used.'

Pique had an off night in Kaliningrad as Morocco exposed mistakes in the Spanish rearguard and Lescott labelled some of the 2010 champions' defending as 'childish' with Pique and Sergio Ramos taking the brunt of the criticism.

'Very childish defending which is unlike them,' the former City defender added.

'Two world class and experienced defenders and I haven’t seen that in modern day football – never mind the World Cup.'