Real Madrid defender Marcelo stole the show with a laughable dive as his side slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
With the Spanish side two down and running out of time, the Brazilian defender resorted to underhand tactics to try and get goalscorer Maximilian Arnold sent off, after the referee had blown the whistle so a goal kick could be retaken.
First, he kicked out at the German and then, shortly afterwards, headbutted him in the midriff before falling to the floor clutching his face – while still finding time for a pleading look at the linesman.
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His acting precipitated a brawl after which, amazingly, Arnold was booked. That might have been Marcelo's intention, but the goal the German scored will surely have more consequence in the tie.
Marcelo's "spectacularly awful dive perfectly rounded off an awful night for Real Madrid", says the Daily Telegraph.
It certainly didn't do the player any favours, says the London Evening Standard. "VFL Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold spent most of Wednesday night embarrassing Real Madrid full-back Marcelo in their Champions League tie but it appears the Brazilian didn't need any help to be made to look a fool."
Certainly, ITV pundits Glenn Hoddle and Roy Keane were unimpressed. Hoddle described the dive as "embarrassing" and "disgraceful" and asked what any watching rugby fans would think.
Keane said: "It's shocking. I do not know how his legs have given way."
However, it was Arnold who had the last laugh when asked about Marcelo's efforts to have him sent off. "I just wish I had such beautiful hair," he said. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"93191","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
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