Fernando Torres ‘in stable condition’ after being rushed to hospital with head injury as Atletico Madrid team-mates save star from swallowing tongue
Atletico Madrid striker in a stable condition in hospital after team-mates Gabi and Sime Vrsaljko praised by doctor for 'perfect' response
FERNANDO TORRES was rushed to hospital after suffering a horror head injury in Atletico Madrid's Liga draw with Deportivo La Coruna.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea ace was knocked out cold following a sickening clash of heads with Deportivo's Alejandro Bergantinos, before later regaining consciousness.
Torres' head bounced off the turf in horrifying fashion before anxious team-mates rushed to his aid.
Team-mates Gabi and Sime Vrsaljko had to reach inside the Atletico striker's mouth to stop him swallowing his tongue, with Depor's club doctor Carlos Larino later praising the duo's "perfect" reaction.
After several minutes of treatment Torres, 32, was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace.
He was rushed to hospital by ambulance, with what the club initially described in a Tweet as a 'brain trauma injury'.
But after undergoing cranial and cervical CT scans, the player was given the all-clear but told to observe protocol by spending the night in hospital.
Torres was later able to Tweet: "Many thanks to all concerned by me and for your messages of encouragement.It was just a scare. I hope to return very soon!.
Torres' manager and team-mates were left shaken by a scare that was frighteningly reminiscent of the clash that led to Hull midfielder Ryan Mason breaking his skull.
Immediately after the game, boss Diego Simeone said: "Torres is conscious, he has a head trauma. We are worried and very nervous after the scare."
He later added: "We expect the best for Fernando Torres."
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Fellow Rojiblancos striker Antoine Griezmann added: "I don't really care now about football or the result, only worried about Fernando's health at moment. Hope he's okay and back soon."
Speaking about his fears when Torres was first knocked unconscious, Felipe Luis added: "It was something very scary for us all.
"News we've received so far is positive, most important is Fernando recovers okay."
But Torres' brother Israel had earlier allayed fears with a message of his own.
He wrote: "Thanks to everyone for their support and concern.
"At the moment it seems it will all just be a big fright."
Messages flooded in from the football world with former club Chelsea, and former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba among those who sent well wishes.
The match ended 1-1 with Griezmann scoring a screamer to level after the visitors had conceded following Jan Oblak's howler.
The goalkeeper fluffed a goal kick that allowed Deportivo striker Florin Andone to nip in ahead of Atletico defender Jose Gimenez and slot home.
But Griezmann struck in the second half after playing a pair of one-twos before curling a delightful effort over Deportivo stopper German Lux and into the top corner.
The France ace's strike was overshadowed, however, when 65th-minute substitute Torres crashed to the turf five minutes from time.
The result leaves Atletico fourth in La Liga, as they slipped nine points behind third-placed Sevilla after Jorge Sampaoli's team beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0.
