Nicolas Jackson sent off for horror tackle as Chelsea lose their heads at FIFA Club World Cup

Nicolas Jackson had been on the field a matter of moments in their second FIFA Club World Cup match, against Brazilian side Flamengo, when he was dismissed for an appalling challenge

When Enzo Maresca threw on Nicolas Jackson against Flamengo in Chelsea’s second FIFA Club World Cup match, he probably didn’t have in mind what was about to happen. OK, forget probably.

Chelsea led through Pedro Neto’s first-half goal at the break, only to be pegged back in the 62nd minute, as Bruno Henrique tucked home an equaliser for the Brazilians. Maresca’s response was to make a couple of substitutions, including throwing on the Senegal striker for Liam Delap, the £30million new boy who had been making his debut.

In Maresca’s head, he was likely hoping his main marksman could first his side to victory in Philadelphia. That thought was swiftly extinguished.

Firstly, veteran defender Danilo poked home to give Flamengo the lead, turning the game completely on its head in the space of just three minutes. Then, Jackson made things infinitely worse.

There are bad tackles and there are BAD tackles. This was the latter.

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A pure unadulterated leg breaker. Jackson was disgustingly high with a studs up challenge that went straight down the shin of Lucas. It was a red card in any language – despite some of the scarcely believable remonstrations from his Chelsea team-mate.

Even they must have know they were defending the indefensible. Surely.

Chelsea struggled to make any real attempt at mounting a comeback with 10 men, and former star Filipe Luis – now Flamengo’s head coach and with a burgeoning reputation – had the last laugh in the battle of the bosses with his own inspired substitution.

A matter of seconds after being introduced, Wallace Yan, sealed Flamengo’s victory in the 85th minute, turning past Robert Sanchez coolly after being in the right place at the right time as Gonzalo Plata’s shot fell kindly to him.

That sealed victory for the Brazilian side, and leaves Chelsea, who had won their opening game against LAFC, needing a result in their final group game, against ES Tunis, to qualify for the knockout stages.

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