Classics of the Pacific are usually quite fought, but many times footballers exceed themselves. Proof of this is that both in qualifiers and in the Copa America, the national teams of Peru and Chile have suffered expulsions.
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For this reason, Líbero will present you some of the players who were expelled in these matches. Nowadays, many of them are remembered by both fans and are even legends in their countries.
1. Elías Figueroa
One of the best South American defenders in history. The Chilean center-back was sent off in the second leg of the 1979 Copa America. He received the red card after stopping a clear scoring opportunity.
2. Carlos Zambrano
The Peruvian defender was sent off in the semifinal of the 2015 Copa America, after a strong foul against Charles Aránguiz. At that time, he received a lot of criticism from the fans.
3. Santiago Acasiete
Another national defender expelled. The former Almería player was shown the red card after a brawl that broke out in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.
4. Rodrigo Meléndez
The former Estudiantes de la Plata midfielder, along with Santiago Acasiete, were sent off that day. The referee didn't forgive in the brawl that took place that day.
5. Juan Jayo
One of the great references of Alianza Lima, he received a red card for two yellow cards in the match against Chile in '97 in Santiago. That expulsion ended Peru's chances of staying in the game.
6. Juan Manuel Vargas
The 'Loco' has had few bad games with the Peruvian national team, but one of them was against Chile in Lima, for the qualifiers for South Africa 2010. That time, he was sent off for two yellow cards.
7. Christian Cueva
The last expulsion in an official match. The national number 10 received a straight red card after throwing the ball in Mago Valdivia's face, after the Chilean left his arm in a struggle for the ball. The referee of the match, Néstor Pitana, sent off the Peruvian.