Leão punches opponent and sees red as Portugal edge Chile in World Cup warmup

Rafael Leão was dismissed for violent conduct after punching Chile defender Ivan Román in the closing seconds of the first half, as Portugal ground out a 2-1 World Cup warmup victory over Chile at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Oeiras on Saturday.

The AC Milan forward became embroiled in a heated confrontation with Román after believing he had been fouled by a different Chile player. Leão threw a punch, Román reacted furiously, and referee showed both men straight red cards on the stroke of halftime — leaving Portugal to play the entire second period a man down.

Cristiano Ronaldo had started the match but was withdrawn at the interval as planned, and his replacement Gonçalo Guedes made an immediate impact by opening the scoring. Bruno Fernandes doubled Portugal’s advantage in the 75th minute, before Lucas Cepeda pulled one back for Chile deep in stoppage time to set up a nervy finish.

The red card will be a concern for Portugal heading into the tournament. Leão is one of the team’s most dangerous attacking outlets, and any suspension carried into competitive fixtures could blunt their cutting edge in the group stage.

Portugal are placed in Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and Congo, and open their World Cup campaign against Congo on June 17 in Houston. Ronaldo, meanwhile, is on course to make a record-equalling sixth World Cup appearance — a milestone that has defined much of the pre-tournament conversation around the squad.