Gremio's Copa Libertadores group stage match against Internacional descended into chaos with eight red cards in stoppage time following a
mass brawl.
While the game finished 0-0, it was the ferocious bust-up at the finish that stole the headlines as Pepe, Luciano da Rocha Neves, Caio Henrique Oliveira Silva and Paulo Miranda were sent off for the hosts. For Internacional, Edenilson, Moises Roberto Barbosa, Victor Cuesta and Bruno Conceciao Praxedes were given their marching orders before the final whistle for their involvement. Kicking, punching and firm holding were the offences which escalated a 0-0 into a match that became a war for the closing stages.
It was the first time these sides met in a Porto Alegre derby in the Copa Libertadores and tensions were running high. The match had largely passed without incident until the 88th minute when tensions spilled over and referee Fernando Rapallini temporarily lost control. The brawl began was a scrap broke out on the sideline and suddenly substitutes ran off the bench to get involved.
While the eight red cards caught the eye, it is far from a record for the Copa Libertadores. Boca Juniors' meeting with Sporting Cristal in 1971 saw 19 dismissals in a match that will unlikely ever be beaten.
The brawl began between Gremio's Luciano and Internacional's Edenilson. They were quickly joined by team-mates in scuffling as punches rained down and supporters were further riled up in a feverish atmosphere. The actual result quickly became inconsequential but the 0-0 means that both sides are now level on points at the top of Group E with four group stage games remaining.
