A Peruvian player is recovering in hospital after being struck by lightning during a Copa Peru match between his Sport Aguila side and visitors Union Fuerza Mineira, the away club and local media reports said yesterday.

Joao Contreras, 21, suffered burns to his legs, while the linesman and another man were also hurt, Union Fuerza Mineira said on twitter.

“Those affected by the lightning strike in the game received treatment and are out of danger,” the club added.

“Our boys are in good health but they were terribly shaken by what happened.”

Contreras was struck down in a puff of smoke seconds before the start of the second half of the semi-final, second leg.

The game, which was staged amid heavy rain in the Andean city of Huancayo, was 1-1 at the time but abandoned because of the accident.

Union Fuerza Mineira had won the first leg of the Copa Peru tie6-3 on November 30.

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