Brazilian striker sent of after just 3 seconds

Brazilian striker Rafa Silva of Cruzeiro received a red card just three seconds into a top-division match after elbowing an opponent on Saturday. The incident left Cruzeiro one man down in what ultimately became a 3-0 loss against Athletico Paranaense.

The 32-year-old forward’s dismissal occurred during the opening moments as he challenged Athletico’s Kaique Rocha for possession, delivering a forceful elbow just below Rocha's neck. Referee Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima wasted no time in issuing the red card, marking Silva’s action as one of the fastest dismissals in professional soccer history.

Athletico, currently fighting to avoid relegation from Brazil’s Serie A, capitalized on their advantage, securing a much-needed victory at home in Curitiba. For Cruzeiro, the defeat dealt a blow to their pursuit of a top position that would secure them a direct berth in the next Copa Libertadores.

In a strategic move, Cruzeiro had rested several key players for the Curitiba match, hoping to keep them fresh for an upcoming Copa Sudamericana showdown. They’ll face Argentina’s Lanús next week in the second leg of the tournament’s quarterfinals, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg. However, Silva’s early exit left Cruzeiro on the back foot, forcing them to play nearly the entire match shorthanded, which ultimately contributed to their downfall.