Alexis Sanchez picks up a second yellow card just TWO MINUTES after Lautaro Martinez scored at Anfield, with the Man United flop’s sending off preventing Inter Milan from springing an upset
- Inter Milan came close to sparking a comeback at Liverpool on Tuesday night
- Lautaro Martinez’s stunning strike brought Inter to within a goal of the Reds
- But Alexis Sanchez then saw red for the visitors almost two minutes later
- Sanchez picked up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Fabinho
- His dismissal prevented Inter from going on and completing the fight back
Alexis Sanchez earned himself a second yellow card just two minutes after Inter Milan restored hope of a potential Champions League comeback away Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Inter needed to overcome a two-goal deficit at Anfield to reach the quarter-finals of the competition, having lost 2-0 against Jurgen Klopp’s men in Italy last month.
And in the 61st minute of Tuesday’s last-16 second leg they took a huge step towards doing so when Lautaro Martinez rifled a sensational long-range effort into the top-right corner.
Alexis Sanchez was sent off two minutes after Inter Milan gave themselves hope vs Liverpool
The Serie A outfit had played with confidence on Merseyside and, with at least 30 minutes still to play, their chances of completing a remarkable comeback appeared as bright as ever.
However, just under two minutes after Martinez’s stunner, Sanchez picked up a second yellow card to all but end their hopes of a revival.
The former Arsenal man received his first caution deep into first-half injury time, earning himself a yellow card for a late challenge on Thiago Alcantara.
He could have no complaints about the initial card, however Sanchez’s second booking proved much more controversial.
Lautaro Martinez’s long-range strike had left Inter needing just one goal at Anfield
But Sanchez then picked up his second booking two minutes after Martinez rifled home
His first booking came for a late challenge on Thiago Alcantara in first-half injury time
Sanchez could have no complaints for his first caution at Anfield on Tuesday night
After sliding in and beat Fabinho to the ball, he then appeared to catch the Liverpool midfielder’s ankle with the follow through.
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was quick to brandish Sanchez his second yellow card and therefore send him off at Anfield, meaning Inter were left with 10 men for the remainder of the second leg.
In the end, despite a valiant effort, Simone Inzaghi’s side were unable to add an all-important second goal and force the tie into extra-time.
BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand and Fara Williams were adamant that Sanchez should not have received a second yellow for his challenge on Fabinho, yet former referee Peter Walton insisted Lahoz was right to give him his marching orders.