In the Champions League
Kung Fu kick: Professional flies off the field after just three minutes
October 21, 2025 – 8:40 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Pafos is still waiting for its first victory in the premier class. Things didn’t get any easier for Almaty after an early sending off.
Pafos FC suffered an early setback away to FK Qairat Almaty on matchday three of the Champions League. João Correia was shown a red card after just three minutes and had to leave the field.
This was preceded by an attempt to accept a high ball before it went out. However, the 29-year-old rushed Almaty’s Luis Mata with a kung fu kick. Referee Chris Kavanagh didn’t hesitate and handed out a red card less than 180 seconds after kick-off. The game ended 0-0.
Correia inadvertently set a new record: the fastest dismissal in the history of the Champions League. This was previously held by Shakhtar defender Oleksandr Kutscher, who was sent off after 3 minutes and 59 seconds in the 7-0 defeat against FC Bayern in 2015.