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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Marcos Rojo receives straight red card for Boca Juniors in River Plate derby

It remains one of life's mysteries how Marcos Rojo was never sent off playing for Manchester United.

The tough tackling Argentine defender was no stranger to picking up yellow cards for United, yet he just somehow managed to escape seeing red during his seven-year stint at Old Trafford.

However, Rojo was shown a straight red card during Boca Juniors' 1-0 win over River Plate on Sunday. With the game heading towards its conclusion, Rojo decided to fly into a challenge with his left boot high, and he ended up catching Matias Suarez on the head, leaving the referee no choice but to send him off.

It was a disappointing end to the Superclasico for Rojo, who put in an excellent defensive performance throughout before his red card in the 97th minute. Meanwhile, it was Dario Benedetto's strike that proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Following a goalless first-half, Boca took the lead just after the hour mark when Argentina international Benedetto rose highest in the box to head home Juan Edgardo Ramirez's out-swinging corner. That sparked jubilation not just among the raucous home crowd but also from Benedetto, who ran straight towards the fans behind the goal.

Boca Juniors defender Marcos Rojo waves to supporters after being sent off against River Plate (Getty Images)

As thousands of supporters in the stands swelled towards the pitch inside the 57,000 capacity stadium, 32-year-old Benedetto leapt over the advertising hoardings and jumped onto the fence separating the fans from the playing surface.

Benedetto produced another great leap to climb onto the perimeter fence before scaling another few feet and shaking it in delight. His incredible celebration sparked plenty of social media reaction, with some even comparing him to Spiderman.

But it was Rojo's red card that caught the attention of supporters on social media, especially United fans. One said: "Eyes are on the ball no intention in it, so nothing more than a high leg. just a yellow."

Someone else said: "Wasn't even that bad tbh..." Another added: "Never a red."

During time at United, Rojo helped the club to win the Carabao Cup and the Europa League in the same season as Jose Mourinho continued his winning success, with the defender playing a significant role that season. He was initially brought in by Louis van Gaal and finished his time at the Red Devils under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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