Alistair Johnston was seething with frustration after a Peru player headbutted him without facing any consequences. The incident occurred during Canada’s crucial 1-0 victory that positioned them well to secure the second spot in their Copa America group after Argentina.
The Celtic star clashed with Marcos López when the left-back aggressively used his head against the right-back after being blocked. Despite the on-pitch referee’s failure to take action, there was hope that VAR would rectify the situation upon review. However, much to Johnston’s astonishment and disappointment, no further punishment was given to Lopez for his aggressive behavior.
Reflecting on the incident after the match, Johnston expressed his discontent with the lack of officiating support, stating that it demonstrated the challenges they anticipated in the tournament. He emphasized the need for the team to focus on scoring goals rather than relying on referees’ decisions and VAR interventions.
Despite the unjust treatment, Johnston praised his team for maintaining composure and securing the victory. He highlighted the resilience and determination of the squad to overcome adversity and perform against any team under any circumstances. Walking away with the points underscored the team’s ability to compete and succeed regardless of the challenges they faced.
