Ander Herrera was sent off despite not being on the pitch as the former Manchester United midfielder saw his side relinquish a two-goal lead in the Club World Cup
Former Man United midfielder Ander Herrera
Former Man United midfielder Ander Herrera was sent off overnight in the Club World Cup clash vs Benfica(Image: Photo by Leonardo Fernandez - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera endured a nightmare evening during Boca Juniors' Club World Cup clash with Benfica. The South Americans were forced to settle for a point against the Portuguese giants despite taking a two-goal first-half lead.
Miguel Merentiel opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a well-taken finish and they doubled their advantage six minutes later after Rodrigo Andres Battaglia nodded home from a well-worked set-piece. However, it was another ex-Red who got on the scoresheet to reduce the arrears when Angel Di Maria converted his penalty on the stroke of half-time.
But it was a flashpoint after the award of the penalty that sparked outrage from Herrera.
Twenty minutes earlier, the 35-year-old was brought off after suffering an injury in the game's early exchanges.
However, he remained on the sidelines for the remainder of the first-half but saw VAR intervene to award Benfica a spot-kick after former Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi went down under the challenge from Carlos Palacios.
Herrera was seen sharing some choice words with the official, who reaches for his back pocket, while the Boca bench do their best to hold the former United and Athletic Bilbao midfielder back.
The encounter in Miami, Florida wasn't without further controversy as Andrea Belotti was initially shown a yellow card for a high boot on Ayrton Costa.
But the decision was quickly overturned and the Italian was sent off but they managed to level proceedings 13 minutes later with a bullet header from Otamendi.
Both sides finished with 10 men as Jorge Figal was sent off late on for a late challenge.
Herrera's involvement in the inaugural Club World Cup remains uncertain after his injury problem and now subsequent red card.
He made 132 Premier League appearances for the United over a five-year period before he made the switch to French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Herrera made a comeback to Bilbao, receiving a hero's welcome during a presentation in front of 2,000 fans at St Mames. He spent three years in the region during his second stint.
In January, he swapped Spain for Argentina to sign for giants Boca, where he reunited with two former Old Trafford teammates in Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero, plus another ex-Red in Edinson Cavani.
“I don’t want to think too far ahead; my focus is getting fit and preparing for next week’s Copa match," he said after joining the club.
"I’m also looking forward to meeting Fernando Gago (head coach) today.
"My father worked here for a long time and always talked about Boca. Playing here is special—it gives you goosebumps.
"Now, it’s time to enjoy the moment."
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