MOISES CAICEDO kissed his mum as Ecuador faced Argentina in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
But then he got sent off in front of her as his international break went from bad to worse.
Moises Caicedo was sent off for Ecuador[/caption]
His mum brought the football out before kick-off[/caption]
Caicedo ran over to Carmen in a lovely moment[/caption]
The mother and son embraced and kissed on the pitch[/caption]
Beautiful moment between Moises Caicedo and his Mum
pic.twitter.com/ZRR388KsMt
—
N (@Nino12x) September 9, 2025
Caicedo, 23, missed his nation’s 0-0 draw last week with a minor injury.
However, he was fit enough to start the crunch clash with the world champions in Guayaquil.
But before kick-off, there was a special moment with his doting mother Carmen.
She walked out on the pitch to deliver the matchball to the referee – taking in the love from the 59,000-capacity stadium.
Carmen was supported as she made the steps by a young man, with both wearing red Pinguino tops and caps, the sister company of Wall’s ice cream.
But as she blew kisses to the crowd and headed back towards the tunnel, her son ran over.
The smiling mother and son enjoyed a warm, loving embrace before kissing each other on the cheeks.
It is not the first time Carmen has got involved with Moises’ career.
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When he completed his £115million transfer from Brighton to Chelsea in 2023, she helped him recreate a sweet childhood photo sitting in the boot of a car with him in a Blues shirt.
But things did not quite go to plan for the Chelsea midfielder once the match got underway.
That is because just five minutes after half-time, he was sent for an early bath.
Caicedo was already on a yellow card when he caught Nicolas Gonzalez with a stray boot in a challenge.
The Argentina man made a meal of it and writhed around on the floor despite minimal contact as his team-mates immediately appealed to ref Wilmar Roldan.
And the referee brandished the second yellow and the red card to dismiss a shocked Caicedo, who now looks set to miss Ecuador’s first match at the 2026 World Cup through suspension.
Fans on social media could barely believe the decision to send him off.
One said: “Shameful refereeing.”
Another wrote: “So unfair.”
And a third added: “That’s never a red card.”
Caicedo’s red card meant the match finished with ten men on both sides after Nicolas Otamendi was sent off in the first half for Lionel Messi-less Argentina for dragging down Enner Valencia as last man.
But after a run of four consecutive 0-0 draws, Ecuador scored the only goal of the game from a controversial Valencia penalty in the 13th minute of first-half stoppage time to win 1-0.
The result meant Ecuador finished the South American World Cup qualifying campaign second behind Argentina.
Caicedo’s side picked up 29 points from their 18 matches with FOUR teams – Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay – all on 28 and guaranteeing their places at next summer’s tournament, with Bolivia going into a play-off.
Caicedo was given his marching orders after complaints from the Argentina players[/caption]
