Head clash leaves Jan Paul van Hecke bloodied but back on field

Jan Paul van Hecke, the newly‑signed Tottenham Hotspur defender, suffered a serious head wound during today’s Netherlands‑Morocco clash after a corner saw Noussair Mazraoui’s studs strike his skull, adding to the hard challenges he already endured in a first half.

In the early exchanges, Van Hecke was hit in the eye by a shoe while duelling with Ismael Saibari. The impact forced him to pause briefly but he continued playing.

Later, Azzedine Ounahi delivered a harsh elbow to Van Hecke’s side. The incident sparked debate over whether a red card should have been shown.

At the end of the first half, a corner saw Mazraoui’s studs accidentally collide with Van Hecke’s head, causing a deep wound. The collision produced a profuse bleed that required immediate attention.

Medical staff attended to Van Hecke on the sideline, applying pressure to control the bleeding. Despite the severity, he showed no sign of hesitation.

Within minutes Van Hecke rejoined the match, demonstrating resilience. Coaches confirmed he would not be substituted at that stage.

The episode underscores the physical toll of the Netherlands‑Morocco encounter and leaves Van Hecke’s fitness under close watch for the remainder of the game.