The score was 1-0 when Lara do Nascimento Costa brought down Ana Julia Alencar from behind. Up to that point, it was just another hard play. But with her rival lying on the ground, Lara kicked her in the head. Not once. Twice.
When another player ran over to defend her, she was also struck in the face. Everything was captured on video and went viral within hours. Ana Julia ended up at a medical center.
The Civil Police of Ceará opened an investigation for assault. The Brazilian Futsal Sports League did not mince words: it handed Lara a 5-year suspension from any sporting activity.
And Lara’s club, As Resenhas, was knocked out of the tournament. An image that went around the world, showing the ugliest face an athlete can reveal: violence.