Donna Vekic suffers mid-air fright ahead of Guadalajara victory
Tottenham defender Donna Vekic has been left with a bruised hand after the Croatia ace’s dramatic overhead strike cancelled out a late equaliser from Crystal Palace in Manchester.
The Croatia defender was struck by Palace forward Tammy Abraham in stoppage time of a tense battle between the two for a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last 16.
Tottenham defender Donna Vekic has been left with a bruised hand after the Croatia ace’s dramatic overhead strike cancelled out a late equaliser from Crystal Palace.
Abraham’s strike was enough to cancel out Crystal Palace’s late equaliser and send Spurs through at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“It is a great feeling for us. Our players are really down to have achieved this day,” said Vekic, whose injury was discovered when she took part in a recent sparring session with teammates.
“I feel very lucky. I am really impressed with my team. Without them, we know we could not have achieved so much today.”
Abraham, who has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for Palace this season, was later given the ball in the Palace goal following the game, but his strike was well wide.
Tottenham’s final game of the group stage saw them edge to a 1-0 win over Norwegian side Molde.
It took the Spurs goalkeeper to dive full length to his right as he attempted to reach a low cross from midfielder Janssen in stoppage time.
The ball hit the outside of the post and Vekic left the pitch in tears. Vekic is currently on international duty with Croatia’s U-23 side which finished second in their Nations League qualifying group.
Tottenham face a battle to reach the last eight and hope that it is not too much of a dream.
The Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp knows Vekic’s plight and urged his full-back to go for the penalty