Jesus apologises for flying kick offense

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus was apologetic after committing one of the ugliest challenges on a Chilean defender which subsequently saw him being sent off during the Selecao's 1-0 win over Chile in their Copa America quarterfinal on Friday. 

Chile's Eugenio Mena went for a header when Jesus attacked the ball with a high foot and kicked him in the face in the early minutes of the second half.

"Unfortunately, I made such a mistake which could have cost my team. But the team showed strength. I apologise to my teammates and always want to learn from my mistakes. I am happy to know that Mena is fine and we have talked [after the game]. Again, this team is great. We are headed to semis," wrote Jesus on his official Facebook page after the game. 

Brazil were unbeaten in 11 games and topped Group B, while Chile finished only fourth in Group A and have drawn four of their last six matches 1-1.

After an even and goalless first 45 minutes, the match sparked into life within seconds of the restart, when substitute Lucas Paqueta worked a scrappy one-two with Neymar and then held off Gary Medel to fire home from close range.
However, the outlook changed less than two minutes later. Brazil were reduced to 10 men after Jesus was shown a straight red for a horrific kung-fu kick that sent Mena tumbling.

The 10-man Brazil were put under immense pressure but Chile failed to find an equaliser as Brazil moved to the semifinal. Jesus will be banned when the host nation will play semifinal against Peru, who beat Paraguay on penalties earlier in the day, at Rio de Janeiro's Nilton Santos stadium on July 5.

This is also not Jesus' first red-card offense in a Brazil shirt in Copa America. He was also sent off following two yellow cards in a Copa game against Peru in 2019.