The experienced Inter Milan midfielder saw the red card in the 13th minute after hitting the Ecuadorian defender with the studs.
Receiving Ecuador at the San Carlos de Apoquindo stadium was a real nightmare for the Chilean team, who after losing 2-0 to the Tricolor, in the game that also meant the first Ecuadorian victory in Chilean lands, they were left with very few opportunities to reach the Qatar-2022 World Cup. But another of the consequences that this commitment left for the team trained by the Uruguayan Martín Lasarte is the loss of its captain Arturo vidal, sent off with a direct red for a kick to the face of Félix Torres when the Inter Milan player was about to control the ball in the air.
The central judge, the Argentine Fernando Rapallini, did not hesitate to show him the red card right away. Obviously, the VAR was going to appear to either confirm the referee’s initial decision, or to check if the action warranted a change of position. The latter did not happen and King Arturo had to go to the showers.
Conmebol made public the audios of the judges who were in charge of reviewing the plays in the VAR. Although it was considered that Vidal’s action was without intention of hurting his opponent, they supported Rapallini’s decision as it was a play in which there was serious foul play.
“Yes, he hit him. A serious kick. He hit him unintentionally, but he kicked him ”, agreed those in charge of reviewing the play; later, the red was confirmed for Vidal. (D)
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