Rafa Silva was sent off just three seconds into Cruzeiro's 3-0 loss to Athletico Paranaense – one of the quickest sendings off in football history.
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Cruzeiro beaten by Athletico PananaenseSilva sent off after three secondsHis side then fell to 3-0 Serie A defeatFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian striker left his team one man down on Saturday when he hit Athletico's Kaique Rocha just below his neck with his elbow moments after kick-off. Referee Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima subsequently sent off the 32-year-old and Cruzeiro went on to lose the Serie A game 3-0.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
His actions will have darkened the mood around eighth-placed Cruzeiro, who missed the chance to climb up the Brazilian top-flight table. Moreover, they are trying to secure a direct berth into the next edition of the Copa Libertadores but results like these won't help. Athletico, on the other hand, rose to 15th in the league to ease their relegation fears.
DID YOU KNOW?
Former Sheffield United player Keith Gillespie was technically sent off after zero seconds against Reading in January 2007 when he elbowed Stephen Hunt in the face right after coming off the bench. Although 12 seconds passed before the ex-Manchester United man saw red, the referee had not technically restarted the game and the throw-in hadn't been taken.
Gustavo Martins / CruzeiroWHAT NEXT?
Silva's Cruzeiro side are next in action on Wednesday night when they take on Lanus in the second leg of their Copa Sudamericana semi-final.