Antonio Rudiger ‘left needing 20 stitches’ after 95th-minute equaliser

Antonio Rudiger was still able to smile as he joked that he is ‘alive’ after being bloodied and bruised after scoring a 95th-minute Champions League equalizer.

The German centre-back showed all his courage in the closing stages of Real Madrid’s trip to take on Shakhtar Donetsk, who led 1-0 in extra time.

Rudiger threw himself on a cross in the 95th minute, beating Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to the ball to head into the net, securing a point for the Spanish giants.

Antonio Rüdiger told fans he is still ‘alive’ after nasty clash of heads saw him need stitches

Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin clattered Rudiger and headed in the equalizer.

The Real Madrid defender was left with blood streaming from his face and while reports in Spain detailed that he needed 20 stitches after the game, he was in a better mood on the flight home.

“We’re alive,” he wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of him sitting on the private team plane with half his face bandaged.

In a second post, he added, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’m fine – thanks for all your messages’

Both players needed urgent care in the final phase of the match in Poland

Real Madrid are likely to want to further investigate Rudiger for any damage to his skull after he suffered such a severe blow in his collision with Trubin, who also had to be treated after the game.

It was a crucial goal for Rudiger to score, allowing Real Madrid to extend their unbeaten start to the 2022-23 season to 12 games.

Rudiger stood out during the night in Poland, where the match was held due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, Ukrainian teams have been playing European matches in Poland and other neighboring countries.

He finished the night with a 91 percent pass, won four of four ground games, three successful aerial duels and three interceptions, as well as his goal.

The result means Real Madrid remain comfortably at the top of their group, ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig.

There was concern about Rudiger and he will undergo more testing in Spain on Wednesday