Nacional Defender Juan Izquierdo Collapses During Copa Libertadores Game

Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch during a Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo due to an irregular heartbeat. He was taken to hospital and is now in stable condition. The incident occurred in the 84th minute, prompting immediate medical assistance from both teams.

Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch and was hospitalized after experiencing an irregular heartbeat during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores round of 16 match against Sao Paulo at Brazil's Morumbi stadium on Thursday.

Izquierdo, who replaced Sebastian Coates for the Uruguayan team at halftime, fell unconscious in the 84th minute without contact from any player. Medical teams from both sides rushed to assist, and the 27-year-old was taken off the pitch in an ambulance to the applause of the fans.

"Juan Izquierdo suffered an irregular heartbeat during the match against Sao Paulo," Nacional shared on social media platform X. "He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Albert Einstein Hospital, currently stable and under observation."

Sao Paulo expressed their wishes for Izquierdo's speedy recovery in a post on X. The game proceeded, with goals from Damian Bobadilla and Jonathan Calleri securing a 2-0 victory for Sao Paulo, who advance to a quarter-final clash against Botafogo following a scoreless first leg.

(With inputs from agencies.)