West Ham and Everton fans might remember Enner Valencia for his prowess in the box (or lack of) but not his MMA skills.
The Ecuador captain looked shocked after he received a straight red card for his judo kick into his opponent’s face at Copa America on Saturday night.
Valencia was sent off for a high challenge in Ecuador’s Copa America match against Venezuela
Ecuador faced Venezuela at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco and went a goal up through Brighton whizkid Jeremy Sarmiento before half-time.
That was despite the South American nation being a man down after Valencia was sent off in the 22nd minute.
In his attempt to reach the ball, the former West Ham star missed and connected with Jose Martinez’s face with a high boot.
It left the Philadelphia Union star in a heap on the ground, needing urgent medical assistance.
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As the midfielder was seen to, the referee was recommended to go take a look at the incident on the pitchside monitor.
After watching the moment a few times, the referee had no choice but to brandish a red card and send Valencia off for an early bath.
Ecuador went on to lose the match 2-1 as Venezuela made the most of their numerical advantage after the break with two second-half goals.
Valencia, who now plays for Brazilian side Internacional, will now be suspended for Ecuador’s next match against Jamaica.
VAR intervened as Valencia was eventually sent off
He could also face further punishment and miss the next Copa America game against Mexico, with the two countries the other two nations in their group.
As one of Ecuador’s most important players and their captain, it would be a significant blow to head coach Felix Sanchez.
Valencia spent three seasons in the Premier League after West Ham snapped him up from Mexican side Pachuca following a fine World Cup where he scored five times.
That would be the exact number of goals he would score in his debut season in east London, as well, in 37 appearances.
The following season, Valencia could only net five again and in his third season at West Ham, he was loaned out to Everton where he scored three goals.
His time in England would come to an end after that, being allowed to leave for Mexican outfit Tigres UANL for £4.2million, rediscovering his goalscoring touch with 17 goals in all competitions.
Valencia would go on to return to Europe in 2020 when he signed for Fenerbahce for three seasons before joining Internacional in 2023.
Source link : https://talksport.com/football/1933617/ecuador-enner-valencia-red-card-copa-america-kick-face/amp/
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Publish date : 2024-06-23 14:51:07
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