Javier Mascherano on His Match-Saving Tackle: 'I Tore the Anus'

Javier Mascherano was one of the many heroes in Argentina's penalty-kick triumph over the Netherlands on Wednesday to reach the World Cup final. 

Mascherano denied Arjen Robben with a last-ditch tackle to keep things scoreless in the waning moments of regular time. 

"

Match saving tackle from Mascherano https://t.co/MqK7Q96v56

— Futbol Vines (@FutboIVines) July 9, 2014"

But it came at a cost to Mascherano's behind. 

Per ESPN Brazil (via SB Nation), when asked about the play in question, he claimed to have torn his anus. 

"In the mixed zone, Javier Mascherano spared no words to describe the move: 'I do not want to be rude...I tore the anus that play. So the pain...'" 

You can hear the exchange here around the 3:35 mark in Spanish, where the reporters erupt in laughter at his rather blunt explanation of using his bum. 

[SB Nation]