JAN VERTONGHEN needed to be helped off the pitch after a horror clash of heads with Toby Alderweireld.
The Spurs stalwart had blood pouring across his face and was left on the deck for a few worrying moments after the collision.
The Belgian defenders challenged for the same ball along with Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Champions League semi-final but Vertonghen smashed into the back of his team-mate’s head.
Blood spouted from his nose and medics sprinted on to treat him while Alderweireld was quickly back on his feet.
Vertonghen did not appear to be knocked out but was clearly shaken as the doctors cleared the blood from his covered face.
After a few minutes of attention, he walked off to change his blooded shirt and shorts before coming back on once the referee had checked him over and judged he was safe to continue.
But just seconds later, he signalled there was no way he could carry on and he had to come off.
Vertonghen was replaced by Moussa Sissoko in an attacking substition for Spurs, who were trailing 1-0 at the time of the incident on the half-hour mark.
But as the defender stood on the touchline, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and other coaching staff grabbed hold of the Belgian defender, who looked as though he was about to collapse and lose his footing.
BT Sport pundit Glenn Hoddle said: “It was a delayed reaction, it was horrible to see, he has absolutely fainted.”
Presenter Gary Lineker gave a positive update, though.
He added: “It is a bit worrying. But he is okay in the dressing room apparently.”
Vertonghen was being seen by specialists in the Tottenham medical room, according to BT Sport.
Donny van de Beek had given Ajax a deserved lead after 15 minutes, beating the offside trap and slotting home to round off a stunning move.
He could have set up David Neres to make it 2-0 shortly after but instead went for goal and this time Hugo Lloris made the save.
Spurs were struggling to deal with Ajax’s fluid attack and when Vertonghen tried to come back on after being patched up by the medical staff, he slotted into a back four – rather than the three they were using prior to the clash.
Sissoko’s introduction meant he slotted into midfield with Victor Wanyama while Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose dropped back to refer to regular full-backs.
