The referee’s eventual decision was the correct one in law – but fans were critical of what happened beforehand.

A player in the Brazilian top flight stopped his opponent from scoring after using what he thought to be an ‘1000 IQ move’ – but didn’t expect what happened next.

Flamengo were hosting Criciuma on Saturday evening, with the scores at 1-1 after 87 minutes.

The hosts surprisingly went behind on 37 minutes, but equalised on 76 minutes through forward Pedro.

Then, 10 minutes later, winger Everton ran through on goal and looked to get his shot away – but was stopped by what looked to be a genius move from Criciuma midfielder Gustavo Barreto.

Barreto spotted that there was a second ball which had made its way into the 18-yard box – and kicked it towards the ball that was at Everton’s feet.

That meant play had to be stopped, but the referee then awarded Flamengo a penalty, which Gabriel Barbosa converted.

You can see the incident below.

🤯 We have NEVER seen this happen before! Flamengo were awarded a last minute penalty tonight after the Criciúma player kicks a second ball that was on the pitch at the current match ball the attacker is using. New rule unlocked. 🔓

Fans had mixed views on the incident, with some claiming that an indirect free kick, or even a drop ball, should have been awarded – or the referee should have stopped play before the incident given that two balls were on the pitch.

But the referee made the right decision in giving the penalty.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, IFAB’s Laws of the Game document doesn’t make a direct reference to this sort of incident – given how rarely it happens – but Law 12 details what happens when any object that isn’t a match ball interferes with play.

The law reads: “If a player who is on or off the field of play throws or kicks an object (other than the match ball) at an opposing player, or throws or kicks an object (including a ball) at an opposing substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official, or a match official or the match ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position where the object struck or would have struck the person or the ball.

“If this position is off the field of play, the free kick is taken on the nearest point of the boundary line.

“A penalty kick is awarded if this is within the offender’s penalty area.”

The last sentence shows that the referee did indeed make the correct decision on the field. When you think about it, it certainly makes sense – as a defender could theoretically kick a second ball onto the pitch at any time when they see a dangerous attacking move.

Flamengo eventually secured a crucial 2-1 victory, with the side now five points off the lead of the Brazilian Serie A with a game in hand.