South American football is famed for its skill and passion, with those qualities on show as showboating sparked a mass brawl in Santos’ latest game.
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Soteldo taunts opponentsPlayers from both sides pile inThree red cards handed outWHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian outfit were in action against Vasco da Gama on Sunday, with the home side running out comfortable 4-1 winners at Vila Belmiro. The game was not without controversy, though, as Vasco players reacted angrily to being taunted by their opponents.
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Early in the second half, with Santos already 3-1 up by that stage, Venezuela international playmaker Yeferson Soteldo took to standing on the ball – with both feet off the ground – and invited a reckless response from his rivals. That is precisely what he got as tackles flew in and a brawl broke out involving players from both teams – including many that were on the bench.
DID YOU KNOW?
Three red cards were eventually handed out – to Gary Medel of Vasco, along with Lucas Lima and Rodrigo Fernandez of Santos. The game was played to a finish, with Soteldo having the last laugh as he added a fourth for Santos and wrapped up a convincing victory.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Soteldo returned to Santos for a second spell in 2022, in an initial loan switch from Mexican side Tigres, and was only returned to the Brazilian side’s ranks in August following disciplinary problems that led to him being left out of first-team plans.