What happened to Bentancur in Tottenham vs. Liverpool: he fell to the ground, was motionless and left on a stretcher

The first leg of the League Cup semi-final between Tottenham and Liverpool was marred by a worrying incident involving Rodrigo Bentancur, who fainted in the opening minutes of the match.

In a match that promised to be thrilling, attention turned to Rodrigo Bentancur just minutes after the start of the game between Tottenham and Liverpool. The Uruguayan midfielder, while attempting to head a corner in his team's favour, fainted and fell to the pitch, causing great concern among his teammates, rivals and the public present at the stadium.

The incident occurred just 6 minutes into the game, when Bentancur, on his way to the ball, suddenly collapsed. The quick reaction of his teammates and the medical staff was crucial. Bentancur received medical attention on the field for several minutes before being stretchered off. Fortunately, an ambulance was not needed on the pitch, which suggested that the situation, although worrying, was not extremely urgent.

Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou prepared Brennan Johnson to replace Bentancur. The Uruguayan player was removed from the field with an oxygen mask to assist him after the fainting spell. The fans present at the stadium acknowledged the player's effort with applause as he was carried off on a stretcher.

Tottenham released an official statement during half-time, reporting that Bentancur was conscious, able to talk and would be transferred to a hospital for further checks. An official medical report with more details about his health and the causes of the fainting spell is expected.

This incident adds to a series of physical setbacks that have affected Bentancur in recent times. The Uruguayan player had been regaining regularity after a long absence during much of 2023 due to a ligament injury in his knee. In addition, he suffered a broken ankle in December of that same year, which kept him off the field for a month. At the start of this season, he was also out for almost two weeks due to a head trauma caused by a head collision.

This new physical problem for Bentancur is a blow for both the player and Tottenham. The midfielder is a key piece in Postecoglou's system, and his prolonged absence could affect the team's performance. Furthermore, this incident reopens the debate on the physical demands in high-level football and the importance of prevention and care for players' health.

An official medical report is expected to be released by Tottenham in the coming hours, clarifying the causes of Bentancur's fainting spell and determining the estimated recovery time. The football community will be attentive to the player's progress and wishes him a speedy recovery.