AZ MIDFIELDER STIJN Wuytens scored his side’s Europa League Group D opener against Dundalk, but only realised when he was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
Wuytens was knocked unconscious when he collided with Gary Rogers in the process of putting the ball in the back of the net against the Lilywhites on Thursday.
The image of the 26-year-old lying limp on the ground prompted emotional scenes at the AFAS Stadion, with AZ head coach John van den Brom and forward Alireza Jahanbaksh reduced to tears during the incident.
Thankfully, Wuytens regained consciousness in the dressing room and on Friday, AZ confirmed that he was ok.
However, due to the nature of his injury — and a distrust of AZ’s “joker physio — the former PSV midfielder needed proof to believe he had scored.
I only found out that I scored when I was already in the ambulance,” Wuytens told RTV Noord-Holland.
“Our physiotherapist Rob told me. He is a bit of joker sometimes, so I wanted to see some proof. Then he showed me on the live scores app on his mobile phone.”
Wuytens has since watched the television coverage of the incident and admitted that he had “goosebumps” witnessing how people responded.
It looked pretty scary to me,” he said. ”But the reactions from everyone gave me goosebumps. It’s great to see that everyone was so compassionate.
“In the end I only got one stitch, so it wasn’t as bad as it looked.”
Dundalk went on to cancel out Wuytens’ goal, with Ciaran Kilduff heading a late equaliser, securing a historic result for the Irish champions.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
