Rafael Leão sent off for punching opponent in Portugal's World Cup warmup win over Chile

The incident

Portugal's first World Cup warmup match, a 2-1 victory over Chile at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor near Lisbon, was overshadowed by a violent altercation just before halftime. Rafael Leão, the 26-year-old AC Milan winger, became involved in a scuffle that began when teammate João Cancelo tangled with Chile's Felipe Faundez. Leão intervened and clashed with Chilean defender Iván Román, with the two shoving each other before Leão struck Román in the face, sending him to the ground.

Italian referee Luca Zufferli showed straight red cards to both Leão and Román on the stroke of halftime, leaving both sides to play the second half with ten men. The incident was described by multiple outlets as a punch to the face, with German broadcaster N-tv noting Leão "struck his opponent in the face and knocked him to the ground."

Leão responds

Hours after the match, Leão posted a statement on his Instagram account addressing the expulsion. He did not offer a direct apology to Román but framed his actions as defensive.

Regarding my sending off, I simply wanted to protect my teammate, never with the intention of hurting the opponent.

The Portuguese international also thanked fans for the atmosphere at the Jamor stadium, writing "Thank you to all the Portuguese who created an incredible atmosphere, let's continue together." French outlet Le Parisien noted that the message "resembled an apology" but fell short of one, and that Leão "risks a heavy sanction for this unjustified behaviour."

Suspension risk for the World Cup

Leão is automatically suspended for Portugal's final warmup match against Nigeria on Wednesday 10 June in Leiria. The larger question is whether FIFA's disciplinary committee will extend the ban into the World Cup itself. N-tv reported that "in cases of a sending-off for violent conduct, the suspension can be extended beyond friendlies to official competition matches" — in Leão's case, the World Cup.

The Dutch Telegraaf offered a more cautious reading, stating that an automatic one-match ban after a straight red card applies only to the next friendly, not to an official competition like the World Cup. The final decision rests with FIFA's disciplinary commission, which has broad discretion in such cases.

The match

Portugal dominated from the opening minutes, with Cristiano Ronaldo starting in what is set to be his record-tying sixth World Cup appearance. Leão struck the post in the 9th minute after a backheel pass from Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain had a goal disallowed for offside shortly before the halftime scuffle.

Roberto Martínez substituted Ronaldo at the break, and his replacement Gonçalo Guedes broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, finishing a through ball from Rúben Neves. Bruno Fernandes doubled the lead in the 75th with a strike from outside the box. Chile pulled one back through Lucas Cepeda in stoppage time.

Several key players were rested for Portugal: Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos were given time off after winning the Champions League for the second consecutive time a week earlier.

World Cup path

Portugal competes in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Their tournament opener is against DR Congo on 17 June in Houston, followed by Uzbekistan on 23 June and Colombia on 28 June. The squad flies to the United States on 12 June after the Nigeria friendly. Chile did not qualify for the World Cup, finishing last in South American qualifying.