🎥 Horror tackle leaves players stunned in Copa Libertadores match | OneFootball

The Copa Libertadores is South American football at its finest. Skill, desire, players leaving everything out on the pitch – this horror tackle however could literally have left a player on the pitch.

Just nine minutes into Palmeiras’ visit to Atlético Junior, Germán Gutiérrez was sent off for a kung-fu kick – reminiscent of Nigel de Jong on Xabi Alonso in the 2010 World Cup final – straight into the chest of midfielder Bruno Henrique.

When Felipe Melo is sprinting to the referee head in hands, shocked at what he has just seen, a red card was the only and correct outcome.

Fortunately, and quite incredibly, the studs-up assault did not appear to injure Henrique who went on to score twice with highly rated striker Miguel Borja adding a third late on.

O Verdão sit top of the group after their win in Colombia with Atlético Junior bottom, while Boca Juniors and Alianza Lima remain in second and third after their stalemate.

Gutiérrez would normally miss three matches for a straight red card but CONMEBOL could meet early next week to discuss whether his punishment should be extended.