Rodrigo Bentancur stretchered off pitch after suffering head injury in league cup semi-final

The midfielder landed awkwardly on the ground attempting to turn the ball towards goal during a corner kick

Michael Jones
Wednesday 08 January 2025 21:05 GMT
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Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a head injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Liverpool
Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a head injury in the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Liverpool (EPA)

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Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off the pitch during Tottenham Hotspur’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool with a suspected head injury after an awkward landing as he attempted to reach a corner kick.

Tottenham won the first corner of the game in the seventh minute and as the ball was swung into the penalty area, Bentancur launched himself at it in the hopes of heading the ball towards goal.

He missed and landed hard on the ground seemingly knocking his head on the turf. The midfielder lay still as the set piece played out before his teammates urgently called for the medical team to intervene.

The extent of the injury is unknown but different video angles of the incident may point to the midfielder suffering a stroke as he did not attempt to stop his fall.

The match was halted and the stoppage lasted around eight minutes with the midfielder seemingly able to communicate with the medical professionals whilst on the ground.

A stretcher was brought onto the pitch and Bentancur was covered in a blanket as he was carried off the field in the 15th minute. He wore a neck brace and was immediately taken into the tunnel after being removed from the pitch to a round of applause from both sets of fans.

The latest update revealed that the midfielder was still being treated by doctors in the dressing room at half-time.

Bentancur also suffered a head injury in August last year following a clash of heads with Leicester City’s Abdul Fatawu.

Brennan Johnson was brought on to replace him as Spurs looked to overcome Liverpool and take the advantage in this two-legged semi-final tie.

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