Video: Puff of smoke seen as footballer is struck by lightning during match in Peru

The players were "terribly shaken" by the incident but the footballer is recovering in hospital

A footballer is recovering in hospital after being struck by lightning in Peru.

Joao Contreras was hit during a Copa Peru match between his Sport Aguila side and visitors Union Fuerza Mineira.

The 21-year-old suffered burns to his legs according to local media reports. The linesman and another man were also hurt, Union Fuerza Mineira said on Twitter.

"Those affected by the lightning strike in the game are out of danger," the club added. "Our boys are good but they were terribly shaken."

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 level at 1-1 at the time but abandoned because of the accident. Union Fuerza Mineira won the first leg 6-3 on November 30.