Madrid, Sep 17 (AP) Veteran defender Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid was shown a red card in a dramatic turn of events after a confrontation with Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli during a Champions League clash. The incident unfolded as tensions simmered between the two players pre-corner kick.
Words were exchanged in the area, intensifying before Carvajal, in a sudden move, head-butted Rulli, striking him in the face. Despite the referee initially missing the incident, the on-field drama escalated when Marseille players swiftly lodged their complaints. Intervention came through video review, and the referee, after consulting the sideline monitor, promptly dismissed Carvajal with a red card in the 72nd minute.
Carvajal, serving as Madrid's captain at that point, had been ushered onto the pitch in the 5th minute to step in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. The match was delicately poised at 1-1 when the flashpoint occurred. However, Madrid seized the momentum through the composed performance of Kylian Mbappé, who netted two crucial goals from penalty kicks, securing a 2-1 victory. (AP)
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