‘Killer intervention’ by Chilean Arturo Vidal, say the Italian newspapers about the ‘karate kick’ received by Félix Torres, of the Ecuadorian team

With several publications with a certain dramatic tone, and hinting that perhaps it was not due to mistakes made by their team, a sector of the Chilean sports press seeks justification for the traumatic defeat suffered in Santiago by 2-0 against Ecuador. It refers to factors unrelated to what happened on the pitch. For example, it seems that it was a conspiracy of fate against Chile when the media from the country of the lone star asked: “What did the Chilean team do to the world to deserve so much cruelty in 90 minutes?”

There is also talk of a “strange game” and, although losing two footballers to injury is a rare misfortune, “a ‘dark force’ is cited. Black magic. Simple bad luck ”to find explanations for“ a gloomy night ”.

However, the beginning of the end of Chile’s hopes of beating Ecuador began with the expulsion of Arturo Vidal, who received a direct red card for applying “a ferocious kick,” as the newspaper calls it. The fourth, in the face of defender Félix Torres. Meter, from Santiago, described the dangerous action of the Red midfielder as “flying kick” and “tremendous iron.”

Last Tuesday there were no arbitration contemplations with Vidal. The midfielder did not even have time to try to surround Argentine judge Fernando Rapallini with his classic claims, protests and histrionic poses. The referee showed him a direct red card in the 13th minute. And goodbye Rey Arturo, backstage. Vidal assures: “I never thought they could expel me. I didn’t see the player (Torres) ”, but the truth is that the Chilean footballer was facing the Ecuadorian defender, who fortunately escaped suffering serious damage.

The image of Vidal’s reckless, dangerous and irresponsible move went around the world. And almost unanimously the press of the planet has harshly described the action. “El King left the court at 13 minutes after lifting his right leg too much and hitting Félix Torres, Ecuadorian defender, in a criminal kick that deserved the red card. Beyond the fact that he had no intention, the referee Fernando Rapallini did not hesitate and sent off directly at the wheel of Inter Milan, without the need for the VAR to intervene ”, said the newspaper Ole, from Argentina.

‘Karate kick’

The portal Infobae He said: “The midfielder lifted his leg much more than adequate and, in a jump similar to that of a karate fighter, he hit a brutal slap on the shoulder to Félix Torres, who had reached the ball first. Such an act of irresponsibility on the part of one of the leaders of the team led by the Uruguayan Martín Lasarte was sanctioned with expulsion by the referee Fernando Rapallini ”.

According Trade, from Lima, “Arturo Vidal recklessly entered against an Ecuadorian defender and the match referee, without hesitation, showed him the red card. The King did not measure the distance with his rival and gave him a terrible kick in the face ”.

And in Italy, where Vidal plays for Inter, how did you see him kick Félix Torres? The main media were not indifferent to the rude violation of the Chilean.

‘Killer flying kick’

Corriere dello Sport called the action a “murderous intervention.” The Roman newspaper pointed to Vidal as the “negative protagonist” of the match that Chile lost with Ecuador on the fourteenth date of the Qatar tie.

According The Gazzetta dello Sport, from Milan, what happened in Santiago was “a nightmare for Chile’s world aspirations. He lost Vidal and Alexis Sánchez in the first half hour, the first due to a crazy flying kick and the second due to a muscle problem ”. (D)