Red card could spell end for erratic David Luiz

SAO PAULO (Reuters) – The international future of David Luiz looked to be in question after a poor performance and a needless sending off left coach Dunga fuming at his irresponsibility in Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Argentina on Friday.

Luiz was booked after 86 minutes for throwing an elbow and he was lucky not to get sent off for the rash intervention.

However, the Paris St. Germain defender did not take the warning and two minutes later he plunged in with his boot up and was given a straight red by the Paraguayan referee.

“He deserved to be sent off,” a stern Dunga told reporters afterwards. “There’s nothing to complain about.”

Dunga is known for defending his players in even the most extreme circumstances and his curt summing up could signal his patience has run out with the player who has won 55 caps.

Luiz and Dani Alves were at fault for the Argentina goal when they let Ezequiel Lavezzi steal in between them to sidefoot home 10 minutes before halftime.

Luiz was also frequently caught out as Argentina threw in crosses both high and low.

His erratic showing could be good news for his Paris St. Germain teammate Thiago Silva, who fell out of favour after Brazil’s World Cup debacle.

Silva cried during one World Cup match and refused to take a penalty in another and the famously hard-nosed Dunga believed he was not psychological prepared for the pressures of international football.

However, Luiz’ shortcomings were evident for all to see and Dunga may now consider recalling Silva, who served as captain under previous manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and who is highly rated at home.

Luiz has been Dunga’s first choice centreback alongside Miranda although Marquinhos, Corinthians’ Gil and Arsenal’s uncapped Gabriel Paulista have also been regulars in the squad.

Marquinhos stepped in to replace Luiz when he was injured for the second qualifier against Venezuela but he was not included for the double header against Argentina and Peru.

Gil is now likely to start when Brazil play Peru in Salvador on Tuesday.

(By Andrew Downie, Editing by Patrick Johnston)