Harry Maguire was compared to Boris Johnson after he ‘got away with one’ against North Macedonia

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The star sent Elif Elmas tumbling with a ‘rugby tackle’ after he lost his footing

The referee deemed that Maguire’s challenge was not worthy of a penalty

But it was hilariously compared to Boris Johnson’s tackle on Maurizio Gaudino in 2006

The hosts were yelling for a penalty with the score tied after Elif Elmas fell down due to a careless challenge from the Manchester United defender.

The Three Lions player motioned to the referee right away, saying that Elmas had made a joke out of it. Fortunately, the official agreed.

As soon as it looked like Maguire’s studs had become lodged in the turf, causing him to stumble, fans began drawing comparisons between him and the former prime minister.

Johnson made what many deemed to be the “worst tackle ever” in 2006 while playing in a well-known charity game at Madejski Stadium.

He was closing down former Manchester City loanee Maurizio Gaudino when he slipped and ended up headbutting him in the genitalia while playing for England Legends against their German opponents.

And viewers of this evening’s game were quick to see the similarities 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 that one, North Macedonia were awarded a penalty shortly before the end of the first half..

Rico Lewis went for a header but, with both eyes on the ball, caught Bojan Miovski with a flailing arm to the face.

After a VAR check, a penalty was given, but Enis Bardhi’s shot was saved by Jordan Pickford, allowing the forward to react quickly and score off the rebound.