New Delhi: Juan Izquierdo, a defender in the Uruguayan football club Nacional, collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to the hospital for treatment during Copa Libertadores Round of 16’s second leg clash against Sao Paulo at the Morumbi Stadium on Thursday. As he lay down on the ground, his teammates and players from Sao Paulo called for help from the dugout as medical professionals and an ambulance rushed to the spot.
It all happened during the 84th minute of the game after Izquierdo replaced Sebastian Coates for Nacional at half-time. The 27-year-old fell unconscious to the ground as his teammates gathered around him to provide him support. The match was immediately halted and medical personnel made their way to the pitch first followed by an ambulance which stretchered an unconscious Izquierdo off to a hospital for the treatment.
Watch the incident here –
🇺🇾⚽🇧🇷 | El jugador uruguayo Juan Izquierdo, defensor del Nacional, se descompensó en pleno partido contra el São Paulo en el Morumbí, durante la Copa Libertadores. Actualmente, Izquierdo se encuentra en cuidados intensivos y lucha por su vida. pic.twitter.com/CrKN4LKX9t
— Carlos alberto Pedeaña villeras (@PedeanaCarlos) August 23, 2024
“We wish a speedy recovery to Nacional player Juan Izquierdo. May all be well as soon as possible,” Sao Paulo wrote on social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter).
Desejamos uma pronta recuperação ao atleta Juan Izquierdo, do @Nacional. Que tudo fique bem o mais brevemente possível.
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) August 23, 2024
Why did Izquierdo collapse?
The young footballer was stabilised after he was taken to the hospital and his club Nacional took to social media to give an update on him. The post revealed that Izquierdo suffered “cardiac arrhythmia” (irregular heartbeat) during the match and was subsequently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Albert Einstein Hospital.
“Juan Izquierdo suffered a cardiac arrhythmia during the match against San Pablo. He is being treated in the ICU at the Albert Einstein Hospital. He is currently stable and remains under observation,” Nacional wrote on “X”.
Juan Izquierdo sufrió una arritmia cardíaca durante el partido ante San Pablo. Es atendido en el CTI del hospital Albert Einstein. Actualmente se encuentra estable y permanece en observación. Seguiremos actualizando la información.
¡Fuerza, Juan! pic.twitter.com/anZOMjP5aQ
— Nacional (@Nacional) August 23, 2024
However, the match resumed after the incident as Sao Paulo bagged it 2-0 on the back of goals from Damian Bobadilla and Jonathan Calleri. During the first leg, no goals were scored. Sao Paulo will be up against Botafogo in an all-Brazilian quarter-final at the Copa Libertadores.
Juan Izquierdo fell unconscious on the pitch during Nacional’s clash against Sao Paulo in Copa Libertadores Round of 16 at the Morumbi Stadium on Thursday. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
