Alex Morgan and Jenny Bindon had soccer fans worried sick on Friday.
The two Olympians momentarily laid flat on the ground after Morgan accidentally kneed Bindon in the face.
The collision took place in the 73rd minute of the United States’ 2-0 win over New Zealand. Morgan got behind the defense and raced in on goal. She reached the ball before the onrushing Bindon and tried to play it around the New Zealand goalkeeper.
Bindon slid for the ball that was no longer there, and Morgan could not jump high enough to clear her opponent. Morgan’s knee hit Bindon’s face and the referee immediately stopped the game.
A fearful medical staff raced onto the field, but the collision looked worse than it actually was. Both players were able to continue.
The Olympics have come to an end for Bindon, as the Kiwis fell at the quarterfinal stage. Morgan escaped serious injury as well, and she should be able to retain her place in the starting 11 for Monday’s semifinal.
Watch Morgan’s knee meet Bindon’s face in the GIF below, via BuzzFeed.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@FreeBeerMovement
