Sickening moment Uruguay star carried off in neck brace after suffering alarming injury in Copa America clash

URUGUAY winger Maximiliano Araujo was rushed off the pitch in a neck brace after suffering a head injury against the USA on Monday.

The 24-year-old started for Marcelo Bielsa‘s side in the Copa America group stage match.

EPA

Maximiliano Araujo was stretchered off in a neck brace[/caption]

EPA

The winger landed awkwardly, jolting his neck[/caption]

But in the 23rd minute he was caught in a collision with team-mate Ronald Araujo and USA defender Tim Ream.

He subsequently fell to the floor, hitting his head on the grass which caused his neck to jolt.

Several Uruguay players rushed over to help and frantically called over to the bench for medical assistance.

Araujo was then stretchered away in a neck brace, but gave the crowd an encouraging thumbs-up before leaving the pitch.

He was replaced by Los Angeles FC star Cristian Olivera.

Uruguay posted a statement on social media after the match, confirming that Araujo did not suffer a serious injury.

It read: “Maximiliano Araujo is fine, he had to be replaced due to a head injury.

“The corresponding tests will be carried out.”

Uruguay went on to win the group stage clash 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Mathias Olivera.

Bielsa’s side booked a spot in the knockout stages as a result, while the USA were eliminated from the tournament.

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