Ex-Premier League star sent off for KICKING opponent in face 20 minutes into Copa America opener – before his country goes on to lose first game

A former Premier League striker was sent off in the Copa America on Saturday evening after a horror challenge on his opponent.

Ecuador faced Venezuela at the San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium and went into halftime with a 1-0 lead after a goal from Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento.

But Sarmiento’s goal came after ex-West Ham and Everton striker Enner Valencia kicked an opponent in the face and was shown a red card in the 22nd minute.

The 34-year-old lunged at a ball in the air in the penalty area but was extremely late with his high challenge on Jose Martinez, leaving the Philadelphia Union midfielder in a heap.

Valencia soon received its marching orders after being assessed by the VAR.

Martinez was left in a heap as the play was reviewed and Valencia were ultimately sent off

And his team would ultimately suffer if they played one less man.

Venezuela’s Jhonder Cadiz leveled matters with a side-footed shot from outside the penalty area in the 64th minute before Eduard Bello took the lead with a rebound ten minutes later.

Valencia played for the Hammers from 2014 to 2017, scoring eight goals in 54 league matches.

He was later loaned to Everton for the second half of the 2016/17 season before transferring to Mexican side UANL.

Valencia will now miss at least the next match for Ecuador, when they play Jamaica next week

The former West Ham striker played for the club from 2014 to 2017, scoring eight league goals

Valencia currently plays for Internacional in the Brazilian league.

This seems to be his alone second red card of his careerwith his other arrival with Turkish giants Fernebache.

Unfortunately, the striker has now been suspended for at least the next match, Wednesday against Jamaica.

If Valencia receives a longer ban for his challenge, he will also miss Ecuador’s match against Mexico next Sunday.