ENZO FERNANDEZ was sent off last night after leaving his opponent bloodied with a kick to the head.
The Chelsea star, 24, was in action as Argentina took on Colombia in a fiery World Cup qualifier.
Castano was left in a heap on the turf[/caption]
Fernandez, 24, was sent off for the poor challenge[/caption]
Colombia took the lead on 24 minutes via Liverpool star Luis Diaz‘s sensational solo strike.
The match became more heated in the second half, and reached a boiling point with 20 minutes remaining.
Challenging for the ball, Fernandez’s high boot caught Colombia star Kevin Castano in the face.
The midfielder was subsequently sent off for the challenge, while Castano received treatment.
Lionel Messi appeared to be frustrated by the incident, and was seen animatedly exchanging words with Colombia veteran James Rodriguez.
Just a few minutes after the flashpoint, Messi appeared to throw an elbow towards Crystal Palace‘s Daniel Munoz.
The Inter Miami star, 37, was surprisingly substituted in the 78th minute, being replaced by Exequiel Palacios.
It proved to be an inspired move, with Palacios setting up Thiago Almada’s equaliser for 10-man Argentina just a few minutes later.
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Lionel Messi exchanged words with James Rodriguez[/caption]
After the 1-1 draw, Argentine boss Lionel Scaloni explained: “Leo wasn’t going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end.
“He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him.
“The good thing we always showed, with 10 men and without Messi, is that we kept looking, not giving up on a ball.
“That makes us very satisfied.”
Argentina have already qualified for next year’s World Cup, with last night’s draw putting them 10 points clear of second place Ecuador in the South American standings.
Fernandez will serve a suspension when Scaloni’s men return to action this September.
The reigning world champions will host Venezuela on
September 9, before travelling to Ecuador on September 14.
Messi, 37, appeared to throw an elbow towards Daniel Munoz[/caption]
