Overview
- The injury occurred during the first half of the Round of 32 match and left Van Hecke with a visible gash that briefly stopped play while medical staff treated him on the pitch.
- After jogging to the sideline under his own power he appeared to receive staples for a cut above his right temple and was cleared to return to the game.
- Some outlets identified Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui as the player whose cleat struck Van Hecke but reports vary and no official disciplinary action has been reported in the coverage provided.
- This is the latest facial injury for Van Hecke in the tournament following a black eye in the group stage, and he has not missed any minutes for the Netherlands so far.
- The quick schedule leaves little recovery time before the Round of 16 versus Canada and the wound, plus his recent transfer from Brighton to Tottenham, create immediate questions about his short-term fitness for club and country.