Neymar Given Red Card For Post-Game Headbutt

Yesterday’s matchup between Brazil and Columbia ended ugly, as Neymar was dismissed for headbutting Jeison Murillo.

Neymar Given Red Card For Post-Game Headbutt

During a horrendous showing by Brazil, Columbia won last night’s America Copa bout 1-0, effectively ending a 24-year winless drought. But the real story of the night was Neymar, who got into a bit of a tussle after the the game.

Following the final whistle, Neymar displayed his frustrations when he punted the ball directly into the back of Pablo Armero, who was celebrating the Colombian victory. Jeison Murillo, who scored the game winning goal, took exception to this, placing his arm around Neymar. However, the superstar did not like this move, as he proceeded to push his head into Murillo’s face, which some would classify as a light headbutt.

Columbia’s Carlos Bacca did not like what he was seeing and came running up to confront Neymar, shoving him in the process. As a result, a mini scuffle ensued. When both sides were separated, the referee handed both Bacca and Neymar a red card for the altercation.

Neymar was already given a yellow for a hand ball in the first half, which was his second of Copa America. This means he already had to miss Brazil’s next game against Venezuela. No word on whether there will be a bigger suspension for the red at the end: a final decision will be made Friday.

It is understandable why Neymar is so hostile towards Columbia. In last year’s World Cup, Juan Camilo Zúñiga drove his knee into the superstar’s back, resulting in broken vertebrae. Brazil would end up defeating Columbia in the quarters, but the loss of Neymar proved too much, as the hosting country was later smacked 7-1 by Germany.

The Columbian victory left the two teams leveled with Venezuela in Copa America’s group play.