Watch Otamendi ELBOW Raphinha in face and pick fuming Brazil star up while blood pours out his mouth
LEEDS star Raphinha needed FIVE stitches after catching en elbow to the mouth by Nicolas Otamendi during last night's Superclasico between Argentina and Brazil.
The rivals locked horns in their World Cup qualifier at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, which ended goalless.
The biggest flashpoint came in the first half when Raphinha and Otamendi wrestled for the ball in the Albiceleste's area.
The feisty Argentine first elbowed the Brazilian in the face in his bid to clear the ball.
And the former Manchester City ace wasn't done there as instead of apologising he picked the infuriated Leeds player up on his feet - even though he suffered a serious cut on his lip and needed medical attention.
Blood poured out the winger's mouth and even though he showed referee Andres Cunha the extent of his injuries no foul or card was given to Otamendi.
Instead, Cunha called on the physios to enter the pitch and i despite clearly needing stitches, Rafinha was kept on the pitch by manager Tite opted to keep the forward on the pitch.
Raphinha received treatment but had to play the rest of the first half with bandages in his mouth.
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The 24-year-old showed plenty of heart in his fifth international appearance with the Selecao as he battled through the pain, even though the bleeding persisted and he had to change bandages.
According to , the former Rennes star received five stitches at half-time and came back on the pitch without any dressings for second half.
Raphinha continued to impress against Argentina until Tite finally replaced him with Antony on 69 minutes.
Brazil are already through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and Argentina also punched their ticket after Ecuador beat Chile 2-0.
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