VIEWERS compared England player Harry Maguire to Boris Johnson after he avoided punishment for “a rugby tackle” tonight.
The unusual occurrence occurred in the 25th minute of North Macedonia’s Euro qualifier against England.
4Harry Maguire was compared to Boris Johnson after he ‘got away with one’ against North MacedoniaCredit: Reuters
4The star sent Elif Elmas tumbling with a ‘rugby tackle’ after he lost his footingCredit: Channel 4
4The referee deemed that Maguire’s challenge was not worthy of a penaltyCredit: Channel 4
4But it was hilariously compared to Boris Johnson’s tackle on Maurizio Gaudino in 2006Credit: PA
With the score at 0-0, the hosts yelled for a penalty after Elif Elmas fell down after a reckless challenge from Manchester United’s defender.
The Three Lions captain immediately wagged his finger at the referee, claiming Elmas had made a meal of it, and the official concurred.
Maguire’s studs appeared to have become entangled in the turf, leading him to stumble, prompting supporters to compare him to the previous Prime Minister.
Johnson notoriously performed what many called the “worst tackle ever” when playing in a charity game at Madejski Stadium in 2006.
He slipped down when closing down ex-Manchester City loanee Maurizio Gaudino and ended up headbutting him in the genitals while playing for England Legends against their German counterparts.
And spectators of tonight’s game were quick to notice the parallels between that and Maguire’s challenge.
“Maguire turning in to Boris Johnson on the field,” declared one on social media.
Another said the United ace was “channelling his inner Boris”.
“Boris Maguire playing well today,” wrote a fellow fan, as another wrote: “Nice to see Maguire taking tips from Boris on how to tackle.”
And a fellow viewer asked: “How is that not a penalty from Harry Boris Maguire?”
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green told BBC 5 Live: “Harry Maguire has got away with two mistakes there.
“Firstly he gives the ball away and then when he tries to recover he is completely out of control, he just loses his footing and falls into Elmas.
“It almost looked like he stumbled on the pitch.”
Despite getting away with it, North Macedonia were granted a penalty shortly before halftime.
Despite having both eyes on the ball, Rico Lewis hit Bojan Miovski in the face with a swinging arm while going for a header.
After a VAR review, a penalty was granted, but Jordan Pickford saved from Enis Bardhi, only for the forward to respond quickly and slot in the rebound.