Nicolo Barella's red card for punching Real Madrid defender Eder Militao in the leg in Inter Milan's defeat was described in some quarters online as 'harsh'.
The Spanish giants were 1-0 up when, in the 64th minute, the Inter Midfielder was involved in a tussle with Militao on the side of the pitch and went down under pressure.
The Italian then reacted by punching the Brazilian in the leg, triggering an angry reaction from Madrid players and Barella was subsequently given his marching orders.
However, some users online insist the red card was 'harsh' - Real went on to win the game 2-0.
A user said: 'Barella red card... football has become soft,' while another said: 'Barella red card a bit harsh for me.'
Another stated: 'How was that a red card for Barella? Grow up.'
Yet that view wasn't unanimous across the board, with one person online saying: 'Clear red card, you can't be trying to punch players' and then saying in a later tweet 'Militao didn't even punch him back. It's called keeping calm.'
Barella will now miss the first-leg of Inter's last-16 tie in 2022.
Two long-range goals from Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio gave Madrid top spot in Group D, while Inter finished second on 10 points.
It means the Italians face a potentially trickier last-16 tie in the new year, and will play the second-leg away from home.
Adamdinatan
118
intentionally punching is a clear red card, whats wrong with you people
Jiweiklrt
72
Punching that could even led to Hamstring strain and people are saying it's too harsh, honestly football fans are driven by sentiment and hate this day's, because you do not like a club you become sentimental when judging them, how stupid!
themainman
43
anyone who thinks that's not a red card is probably insane. you can't punch a player intentionally and get away with it... in my opinion, Barella should be banned for a few more games. this is football and not WWE.
MadridMaldives
23
It’s a clear red card because hitting a player intentionally when the ball is not in play is violence.