Harry Maguire was forced off with a suspected concussion during England’s World Cup clash with Iran. The Manchester United star appeared slightly unstable as he trudged off with the scoreline 4-1 to the Three Lions in their tournament opener.
Maguire sat on the Khalifa International Stadium turf just after the hour and was immediately tended to by England's medical team.
The physios could be seen conducting a concussion test, which is protocol in such scenarios.
It was not entirely clear how Maguire suffered the injury. He was treated for several minutes before being led off the pitch.
The 29-year-old was clearly very dazed as he chatted with staff. He then exchanged words with his replacement, Eric Dier, before heading straight down the tunnel.
Harry Maguire was forced off with what appeared a head injury (Image: BBC)
Qatar World Cup 2022 stadium guide
There will be eight stadiums used across Qatar in the World Cup 2022, hosting a total of 64 games.
They are
Lusail Stadium | Lusail - Capacity: 80,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
1x Semi-Final
Final
Al Bayt Stadium | Al Khor - Capacity: 60,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
1x Semi-Final
Al Janoub Stadium | Al Wakrah - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium | Al Rayyan - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Khalifa International Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Match for Third Place
Education City Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
Stadium 974 | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Al Thumama Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
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BBC co-commentator Jermaine Jenas said: "He just doesn’t look right Harry Maguire, you can just see it in them, see it in their eyes.
"That first-half in particular he done really well, he takes on a world of pressure and for him to perform like that in both boxes, he can proud, hold his head high. It’s a step in the right direction."
Maguire had been excellent in the first 70 minutes, with his passing out from defence prompting several attacks.
He also struck the crossbar with a thumping header in the first half.
Harry Maguire was replaced by England team-mate Eric Dier (Image: BBC)
The 48-cap ace hit back at critics of his World Cup inclusion with his performance. However, he could now miss England’s game with the USA on Friday after being substituted due to concussion.
Under FIFA guidelines, any player who suffers a concussion must be reassessed within 72 hours of leaving the pitch. That could leave Maguire facing a race to be ready for the second Group B clash.
That differs to the Premier League guidelines, which insist that players must not take part in sporting activity for at least six days.
England continued to cruise beyond Iran without Maguire.
They led 4-1 before his injury, with Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling scoring and Bukayo Saka striking a brace.
Mehdi Tahremi grabbed a goal back for the Asian side, before Maguire’s Man Utd team-mate Marcus Rashford restored the four-goal lead having only just come on as a substitute.
Jack Grealish scored a sixth goal to round off a super start to the 2022 World Cup for Gareth Southgate's side.
Tahremi scored a late penalty for Iran after John Stones was punished for shirt-pulling.