Great missed opportunity at the Arena Corinthians. In the match for the third and fourth place of the Copa America 2019 between Argentina vs. Chile, Angel Di Maria piled up players at full speed but Sergio 'Kun' Aguero could not complete the action.
Argentina vs. Chile: Messi and Medel expelled
Argentina vs. Chile: Messi and Medel expelled after terrible clash in Chilean area | VIDEO
►This was Messi's expulsion
Argentine star Lionel Messi was sent off from the match for third place in the Copa America 2019 being held in Sao Paulo after an encounter with Chilean Gary Medel, who also received a red card.
With 10 minutes to go until halftime, with the score favoring Argentina 2-0, goals scored by Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala, Messi and Medel fought for a ball that was going out of bounds.
The Chilean complained about a shove from Messi and both players confronted each other, head to head. According to television images, Medel tried to headbutt Messi twice, who backed away to avoid being hit.
However, Paraguayan referee Mario Diaz de Vivar expelled both players, a decision that triggered protests and a scuffle between the members of both teams.
This is Messi's second expulsion in his entire career, both with Argentina. The first one was in his debut with the Albiceleste in 2005 against Hungary, when shortly after entering the field he threw an elbow to free himself from an opponent.
Source: AFP