VIDEO: Peru's Carlos Zambrano shown divisive red card vs. Chile

The odds were always against Peru heading into their Copa America semifinal against host nation Chile.

Only 20 minutes into the contest, the task got appreciably more difficult.

Defender Carlos Zambrano, who had played every minute of the tournament heading into Monday's match, was shown a straight red card for kicking Charles Aranguiz in the back in an incident that seemed to divide opinion right down the middle.

Did he leave his studs up intentionally to fell the Chilean, or did he simply not have any time to get his leg out of the way after the clearance?

Either way, after a very bright start, Peru will need a herculean effort to reach the final of this year's competition.