Punching an opposing player in the face gets you sent off with a red card 99 times out of 100. Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana match between Brazil clubs Corinthians and Red Bull Bragantino was the one exception.
In the 68th minute Bragantino’s Guilherme got away with a disgraceful act. The 22-year-old had been subbed into the game three minutes prior and moments later socked Corinthians midfielder Charles in the face.
After the two leapt into the air to challenge for the ball, Guilherme got away with a sucker punch.
Copa Sudamericana punch to the face
Corinthians x Red Bull Bragantino - Sul-Americana 2024
Árbitro: Andrés Rojas
VAR: Mauricio PérezNÃO EXPULSÃO de Guilherme, ele deu um soco no rosto do Charles e nem falta foi marcada. O VAR se fez de cego. pic.twitter.com/1w7dfYik5C
— Erros contra o Corinthians (@erroscontra) August 21, 2024
Somehow the incident wasn’t reviewed by VAR despite the blatant act.
Bragantino would then go on to score goals in the 72nd and 76th minute. Had VAR done its job, Bragantino would’ve gone down to 10 men and likely not scored those two goals.
Justice did prevail in the end as Corinthians won the game on a penalty shootout 5-4.
