Real Madrid forward requested to be taken off after vicious challenge in Uruguay-Brazil clash | OneFootball

The Uruguay-Brazil Copa America quarter-final turned into a fierce and brutal clash, more about fouls and physicality than skilful football.

The match reached its peak intensity when Rodrygo faced a severe foul that could have lasting consequences.

In the 71st minute, the Real Madrid forward was the target of a harsh tackle by Nahitan Nandez, a move that resulted in the Uruguayan full-back receiving a direct red card.

The incident happened when Rodrygo was making a powerful run towards the Uruguayan goal when Nandez lunged in with a dangerous tackle that twisted his ankle.

Initially, the referee, Dario Herrera, issued a yellow card to Nandez. However, as he argued the decision, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened. After reviewing the footage, Herrera upgraded the yellow card to a direct red card.

Rodrygo asked for a substitution

The situation became even more concerning for Real Madrid and Brazilian fans as Rodrygo signalled that he needed to be substituted due to the pain from the tackle.

Rodrygo asked to be substituted. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

His frustration was clear as he walked off to undergo preliminary physical tests. The sight of Rodrygo watching the rest of the match with an ice pack on his ankle from the bench was a worrying image for both his club and national team supporters.

The Brazilian coach, Dorival Jr., later confirmed that Rodrygo himself requested to be substituted because the pain was unbearable.

“Rodrygo couldn’t stay on the field because of the tackle. He was going to be one of the penalty takers in the penalty shootout,” said Dorival according to Diario AS.

“We don’t know what he has. It was a complicated tackle and he couldn’t stay in the game. We need to do an in-depth analysis of what he may have,” he added.

This quarter-final match, rather than showcasing beautiful football, became a test of endurance and resilience. Rodrygo’s injury added to the drama, highlighting the physical toll such high-stakes matches can take on players.

The fallout from Nandez’s tackle not only affected the game’s outcome but also raised concerns about Rodrygo’s fitness for upcoming matches, both for Real Madrid and Brazil.