World reacts to Filipe Luis' criminal tackle on Lionel Messi
The moment the world held its collective breath happened to be the same moment we all thanked our lucky stars.
During Saturday's pivotal Spanish Primera clash at the Camp Nou, Barcelona were carrying a one-goal lead vs. Atletico Madrid and heading into halftime with their heads held high until things turned ugly in the 44th minute.
Lionel Messi attempted to control a floating pass near the right sideline when Atletico's Filipe Luis Filipe savagely took down the Argentine maestro with a high-foot tackle straight into Messi's precious left knee:
RED CARD. Filipe Luis with a HORROR TACKLE ON @TeamMessi. @Atleti down to 10. #LaLiga https://t.co/NgsatiMY6j
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) January 30, 2016
Looked painful, right? Match referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco had no choice but to give Luis a straight card for his heinous act.
The challenge was shocking and Twitter reacted, accordingly:
[STORIFY] The players celebrate on social networks the win against Atlético https://t.co/0rBsnw8YXx pic.twitter.com/cbqrDYdx0s
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 30, 2016