Fans can't believe Joelinton's red card in Brazil's defeat to Argentina

Joelinton's red card in Brazil's defeat to Argentina on Tuesday night has baffled fans.

Brazil suffered a first ever World Cup qualifier home defeat after Nicolas Otamendi's 63rd minute strike in a wild and violent affair at the Maracana.

Fans clashed in the stands during the national anthems, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pleading with police to stop as they clashed with supporters.

He tried to grab a policeman's baton, while Lionel Messi led his team off the pitch and into the changing rooms at one point.

The game did eventually start and was a predictably fiery contest, with a total of 42 fouls for both teams.

But the red card issued was deemed to be incredibly harsh. Joelinton of Newcastle was given his marching orders following an incident with Rodrigo de Paul.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder, referred to as Messi's bodyguard, held onto the former Hoffenheim man's arm for what felt like an absolute age in the 81st minute.

Joelinton had even popped off the ball and De Paul was still grabbing him.

A fuming Joelinton proceeded to shove De Paul, who dropped to the turf clutching his face even though he had been pushed in his chest.

The referee was conned into thinking that the contact was more severe than it actually was and so Joelinton received a straight red.

But the decision to dismiss him for violent conduct prompted a flurry of angry responses online.

One fumed: "Literally just brushes his hand off him to get away but in typical Argie style, the guy goes down clutching his face."

A second said: "Never a red card in a million years. Awful decision. Good morning."

A third simply wrote: "Justice for Joelinton. Never a red."

A fourth stated: "That was never red card! Rolling round grabbing his face when it clearly never hit his face! Ref never checked VAR."

A fifth vented: "De Paul literally grabs on to Joelinton's arm, but it's Joelinton who receives the red card! You genuinely can't make this up!".

Joelinton had only been on the pitch for nine minutes prior to his red card and is now facing a suspension.

Messi got into it with Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who reportedly accused Argentina of being "cowards".

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner put his hand on the winger's neck and according to TyC Sports, told him: “We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Look at your mouth.”