Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed that he suffered an eye-watering injury as he tore his anus while making his crucial, last-ditch tackle in their World Cup semifinal win over the Netherlands.
The below photo captures the exact moment when Mascherano made the crucial tackle, which saved millions of Argentine hearts. It seemed like a definite Robben goal until the Argentina defender stormed in and changed the ball's trajectory.
Mascherano said that he sustained a torn anus while making a match-saving tackle on Netherlands ace striker Arjen Robben late in their sudden death encounter, before Argentina went on to reach the final on penalties.
The midfielder was seen bent over in pain after making the sliding challenge and he confessed the reason why he did so in a post-match interview, Stuff.co.nz reported.
The former Liverpool and West Ham United player Mascherano said that he was in so much pain because he tore his 'anus' on that move.
Mascherano was already suspected to be playing through a possible concussion by that point after an accidental head collision with Holland's Georgino Wijnaldum, but was allowed to play on by medical staff, the report added.
{{/usCountry}}Mascherano was already suspected to be playing through a possible concussion by that point after an accidental head collision with Holland's Georgino Wijnaldum, but was allowed to play on by medical staff, the report added.
{{/usCountry}}The save from other angles.