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During Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana Round of 32 game between Peru’s Universitario and Brazil’s Corinthians, a fight broke out in extra time which resulted in no less than five players being sent off by the referee.
The fight broke out after Corinthians scored a late winner through Ryan Gustavo De Lima. De Lima tucked the ball in after a shot across goal was deflected by the Universitario goalkeeper. He celebrated the dramatic late winner by taking off his shirt and running in front of the Universitario fans. This angered both the home team and the fans, with a fight quickly breaking out.
The fight involved both substitutes as well as players on the pitch, along with backroom staff and police. In the end the referee had to send off five players, including De Lima, to regain control over the match and see the game out.
Watch the video here:
Tensions peaked when the home Peruvian fans began throwing things on the pitch at the visiting Brazilian team, who had to seek refuge in the dressing room.
Corinthians through to Round of 16 in the Copa Sudamericana
Following their dramatic victory at Universitario, Brazilian giants Corinthians will be heading into the round of sixteen round of South America’s second continental club competition. They are joined by fellow Brazilian outfits Fortaleza, Sao Paulo, Bragantino, and Goias.
Corinthians have struggled this season in the Brazilian Serie A, sitting in 15th place after accumulating only 15 points in their opening fourteen matches. Finding themselves only four points clear of the relegation zone, the Sao Paulo based club will look to improve their performances before the business end of the season.
Universitario’s run in the Sudamericana has ended, but they have no time to rest as they prepare for a classic derby match on the weekend against Alianza de Lima. The iconic team has had a good start to the 2023 Liga 1 season, sitting in second place with ten points after four games. They are behind Melgar on goal difference.
