VIEWERS were stunned by one of football’s most brutal half-volleys ever – a deliberate kick into a rival’s face sparking a huge chase and brawl.
“Insane scenes,” was one verdict on the Copa del Rey madness, while other fans claimed it was more exciting than the action out in the middle.
The incident erupted when a player collapsed dramatically in a heap by the touchline when he seemed to be gently pushed as the ball went out.
A team-mate of the downed man grabbed the loose ball just a few yards away – and smashed it straight into the face of his pal’s “attacker”.
The player responded by putting his hands to his head – but somehow regained his senses in just a split-second and hared off after his assailant.
Cue a chase involving half of the players on the pitch – leading to a mass skirmish of pushing, shoving and the referee twice waving the red card.
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Off went the player whose half-volley shocked observers.
One viewer responded: “This red card from the Copa del Rey is sensational. Scenes nobody wants to see, but everybody will gladly watch.”
Another wrote: “The accuracy on the punt to the face is awesome.”
A third suggested: “Who doesn’t want to see this?”
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But a fourth said: “Punts the ball into dudes face then runs to the ref for protection. So embarrassing!”
However, a fifth fan reckoned the flare-up would have been more suited to another sport.
He claimed: “See? It’s moments like this where hockey gets it right: you let the boys sort it out on their own, then you hand out discipline and give them the gate.”
Meanwhile, another viewer blamed the whole matter on the player whose theatrical tumble led to the whole clash.
He wrote: “Hand brush across face: flail around on ground Ball punted into face: retaliate with fury!”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk