Mexico cantered to a 4-2 victory over Paraguay in an international friendly match on Tuesday, though the victors didn’t emerge from the encounter entirely unscathed.
Unusually however, it was El Tri‘s head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino who ended the game nursing a war wound inflicted by the hand — or should we say foot — of his opposite number, Paraguay coach Eduardo Berizzo.
At one point, Berizzo kicked an errant ball that rolled over the touchline but unfortunately skewed his shot directly into Martino’s face.
Del Toto, al ‘Tata’ 💥
¿Qué pasó ahí con nuestro Tata? ¡Hasta sangre le sacaron! 🤕😢😨 pic.twitter.com/4JZRUSmUeS
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) 27 March 2019
Martino had his glasses knocked off and his nose bloodied, but thankfully no lasting damage was done. Indeed, he was able to laugh it off after the final whistle.
“Yes, I am angry because he has a very good left foot and today he was spot on. Eduardo is an excellent person,” the Mexico boss said after the match.
Martino should know all about Berizzo’s deadly left foot as the pair were formerly teammates during their playing days, having both represented Newell’s Old Boys together.