Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo collapsed on the pitch and was taken to hospital after suffering an irregular heartbeat during the Copa Libertadores round of 16 second leg against São Paulo at the Morumbi stadium in Brazil on Thursday.
Izquierdo had replaced Sebastián Coates for the Uruguayan club at half-time, but fell to the ground unconscious in the 84th minute without contact with another player.
Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance. The 27-year-old, still unconscious, was taken off the pitch in an ambulance to the applause of the fans.
“Juan Izquierdo suffered a cardiac arrhythmia during the match against Sao Paulo,” Nacional posted on the social media platform X.
“He is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of Albert Einstein Hospital. He is currently stable and remains under observation.”
Sao Paulo wished Izquierdo a speedy recovery in a post on X.
The match continued with goals from Damián Bobadilla and Jonathan Calleri that gave Sao Paulo a 2-0 victory that, after a goalless draw in the first leg, qualifies them for the Brazilian quarter-final against Botafogo.
