Football star ‘double slaps’ rival in face as conflict descends into crimson card chaos
A football star was sent off following a bizarre head loss as he double slapped his rival in the face as the fierce international clash descended into chaos
Mateo Chávez was sent off during Mexico’s defeat to the USA
A fierce international match descended into chaos after a player amusedly double slapped his rival around the face. The United States took on Mexico in a feisty friendly match in Arizona on the weekend.
And the contest was anything but a quiet affair after Mateo Chavez saw red for the visitors after slapping Sebastian Berhalter. Mauricio Pochettino’s side ran out 3-0 winners, thanks to goals from Julian Hall, future Manchester City star Cavan Sullivan, and Malik Tilman.
But Mexico were reduced to 10 men five minutes after Sullivan’s goal when Chavez lashed out in a bizarre way as the visitors were left incredibly frustrated.
Mateo Chavez was sent off for a double slap
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The USMNT bossed proceedings and something inside Chavez snapped when he was shoved by Berhalter, seeing the Mexican slap his rival’s face with both hands.
Almost like a clapping motion, Chavez, admittedly, hilariously squashed Berhalter’s face like a fish before standing there, seemingly bewildered at what he had done.
Meanwhile, Berhalter, the son of former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, turned round in astonishment to look for the referee before falling to the ground.
Sebastian Berhalter looked to the referee in astonishment
Chavez was shown a straight red card and handbags broke out between the two teams, forcing Pochettino and other staff to run onto the pitch to separate the players. Fans on social media reacted with amazement at the incident, as one user said: “this is sending me bc wth was he actually thinking.”
A second quipped: “Must have been a mosquito!” While a third echoed: “VAR review saw two flies on Berhalter’s cheeks.” However, a Mexico fan didn’t see the funny side, fuming: “What a foolish way to squander the trust the coach gives you. You came off being the best in the last match.”
Chavez had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes after being brought on as a half-time substitute for the 22-year-old’s 14th cap for the national team.
Cavan Sullivan will join Manchester City next year
He previously played for Tapatio and Guadalajara in his homeland before joining AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie in 2025, where he has four goal involvements in seven games from left-back for the league leaders who have 19 points from a possible 21. Meanwhile, the other major story from the game was 17-year-old Sullivan scoring his first senior goal for the US.
The midfielder plays for Philadelphia Union in the MLS but has already agreed to join City when he turns 18 after signing a pre-agreement with the club found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules back in 2024 as a 14-year-old.
Sullivan capitalised on a shocking error from goalkeeper Raul Rangel, intercepting his pass before lifting the ball over the stranded keeper from distance.
