Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar has many haters for one simple reason: he dives a lot. Those haters had their prayers answered on Wednesday during PSG’s 2-1 victory vs. Strasbourg when Neymar was red carded for diving.
OK, so technically it was a second yellow card, but either way the referee sent Neymar off for simulation.
His two yellow card offenses happened in less than two minutes during the second half. The first yellow card in the 61st minute was for him accidentally catching an opponent’s face with his hand. Then 85 seconds later Neymar did this.
Neymar Red Card For Diving
NEYMAR JR received two yellow cards in less than 2 minutes and was sent off!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 28, 2022
It was a great and brave call from the referee. Sending off one of the best players in the world for simulation is a bold move. The referee could easily have let the moment pass and call nothing. Instead, he was spot on for giving Neymar a card.
Sorry Neymar haters, but he’s still one of the best in the world. Just look at some of the filth he was conjuring up before his red card.
Virgule, ptit pont, NEYMAR CE MEC EST FOU pic.twitter.com/TfUPdseB3H
— B (@JackyBooooy) December 28, 2022
With Lionel Messi not in the squad for PSG, Neymar sent off and the scored tied 1-1 it was up to Kylian Mbappé to find a way to win. Mbappé did just that.
In the 93rd minute Mbappé was dragged down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. I must say this is almost identical to a foul on Christian Pulisic that happened on Tuesday which wasn’t called. Totally not bitter or anything.
WHAT HAPPENED HERE
Penalty? Goal?1-1 (90')@PSG_inside @RCSA
LIVE on beIN SPORTS #PSGRCSA #Ligue1 pic.twitter.com/xhTcPxDNqQ— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 28, 2022
Mbappé stepped up with supreme confidence to score the game-winning goal.
Mbappe’s Penalty GOAL ⚽️pic.twitter.com/UQ5nZqLU7z
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) December 28, 2022
PSG is eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1. Lens can narrow that gap to five points with a victory vs. Nice on Thursday.