A red card in soccer means a player is sent off by the referee and must leave the match immediately. Their team cannot replace them, so it has to finish the game with one fewer player.

What it usually means

  • It is the most serious in-game punishment for misconduct.
  • It can be shown for things like violent conduct, serious foul play, spitting, abusive language, or denying an obvious goal-scoring chance.
  • Two yellow cards in the same match also turn into a red card.

What happens next

  • The player is out for the rest of that match.
  • In many competitions, the player also gets a suspension for the next game or more, depending on the offense.
  • The team must continue with 10 players, which can make the game much harder.

Simple example

If a defender makes a dangerous tackle or stops a clear goal with a deliberate handball, the referee may show a red card and send that player off.

TL;DR: a red card is soccer’s strongest punishment — the player leaves, cannot be substituted, and usually faces suspension too.