Alvaro Pereira Takes a Knee to the Head from Raheem Sterling, Stays on Pitch

Uruguayan defender Alvaro Pereira took a vicious knee straight to the face from Raheem Sterling, then stayed in the match after being completely dazed on the pitch. 

"

GIF: Pereira stays in after getting brutally kneed straight in the temple. http://t.co/XpNkLH8HmN

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) June 19, 2014"

"

Ow. https://t.co/fsmXM4qjm4

— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) June 19, 2014"

After being attended to, Pereira angrily gestured toward the sidelines to not be subbed off and eventually came back on. 

"

Álvaro Pereira momentarily down on the pitch after taking a knee to the head. He's asking to stay on. #URUvsEng http://t.co/aM62EdxlBl

— Yahoo Soccer (@YahooSoccer) June 19, 2014"

The hit was serious, though, and it begs the question whether or not Pereira should have been allowed to continue.

"

No way Periera should be allowed to play on here. Medic said no, ref should take control here.

— Stefan Bienkowski (@SBienkowski) June 19, 2014"

Retired American Taylor Twellman, who has a history of concussions, was critical of Pereira being allowed to come back on.

"

Hey @SeppBlatter let me know when you want to address head injuries in our game. Perreira should've been taken off. Has to stop. #URUvsENG

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 19, 2014"

[Twitter]