Ex Manchester United star Ander Herrera was sent off after engaging in a scuffle during Boca Juniors' Club World Cup opener against Benfica at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A video of the same went viral on social media as tempers flared high during the contest and Herrera was eventually given the red card.
The incident had occurred just before halftime as referee Cesar Arturo Ramos paused the match to review a likely foul between Nicolas Otamendi and Carlos Palacios. With the Mexican referee awarding penalty to Benfica after a VAR check monitor, Herera was furious and seemingly charged towards the official as the security intervened. Ramos, the official, promptly showed the red card after learning about the altercation.
Watch the video here:
Boca and Benfica play a hard-fought 2-2 draw
The match itself was an exhilarating one despite the off-field tensions caused by Herrera, leading to Benfica capitalising on the shift of momentum. Although Benfica were down 0-2, Angel Di Maria and Otamendi sparked a comeback in the second half.
Jorge Fical and Andrea Belotti also received red cards as tensions kept simmering between the two sides until the last minute. As a result, Benfica and Boca Juniors are now behind Bayern Munich, with Auckland City also part of the same group.
