10 Craziest World Cup Red Cards

Leonardo was one of Brazil’s best full backs in the early-'90s, even being selected ahead of the highly promising Roberto Carlos. The team eased into the knockout rounds of World Cup '94, where they would have to overcome the host nation, the United States. The match was made even more important for the Americans as it took place on Independence Day.

It was a feisty encounter, resulting in quite a few yellows and a couple of reds, with Brazil eventually winning by the narrow margin of 1-0, but one incident in particular really stands out from the game. In the 43rd minute, during a little shirt-pulling tussle with American midfielder Tab Ramos, Leonardo lashed out with his elbow, striking Ramos in the head and being immediately sent off.

It was a bone-crunching strike - quite literally, as Ramos actually suffered a skull fracture and had to spend over three months in hospital to recover. Leonardo was issued with a four-game ban and didn’t play again in the tournament.