Footballer suffers horror head-first fall and leaves pitch in neck brace in worrying scenes

RACING CLUB star Santiago Quiroz was forced to leave the pitch in a neck brace after an awkward fall last night.

The incident occurred during the 35th minute of Racing’s 1-1 draw at Instituto in the Argentine top flight.

Santiago Quiroz went up to contest a header

The defender hit the ground with a horrifying thud

Quiroz was put in a neck brace by doctors

Quiroz, 20, was playing just his fourth league match after being promoted to the first team this season.

After contesting a header with opponent Gabriel Graciani, Quiroz fell hard on the turf.

Falling from quite a height, the defender was unable to put his hands out to protect himself in time.

He subsequently fell head-first into the ground with a sickening thud.

Quiroz required urgent on-field treatment following the awful incident.

He was put in a neck brace by doctors, before being taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

The youngster was then replaced by former Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua.

Racing went 1-0 down just five minutes later.

Adrian Emmanuel Martinez put Instituto 1-0 up on 40 minutes, with the home side going in at the break ahead.

Racing managed to fight back from the adversity of losing Quiroz, however, earning a draw in the second half.

Maximiliano Moralez equalised on 72 minutes to see the points shared.

Racing sit 16th in the Argentine top flight, with Instituto three places below after 19 matches.

Quiroz, 20, was stretchered off after the awful incident

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