Spanish Soccer Player Killed in On-Field Collision

A second-division match in Spain turned fatal this week for CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. The 30-year-old died Tuesday morning, hours after suffering serious head and chest injuries in what the BBC calls a "heavy collision" with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during stoppage-time Monday. Owono was sent off with a straight red card for "making a sudden, high-kicking tackle on an opponent using excessive force," reports ESPN, before the referee halted the match. Owono was leaving the field when the extent of de Miguel's injury became apparent and joined other players rushing to his side. De Miguel went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance but was resuscitated on the way to the hospital and was reported "stable despite the severity of his injury," notes CNN. Overnight, however, de Miguel declined "neurologically" and his death was announced Tuesday morning.

"Racked with pain, with a lump in our throats and unable to believe that this is true," Tenerife said in a statement. "There are no words of comfort; there is absolutely nothing that can alleviate this feeling overflowing with sadness. We stand alongside his devastated family, alongside his loved ones, alongside all of the tinerfeñismo that today weeps for this cruel outcome." Condolences poured in from across Spanish soccer and beyond, including from Andorra co-owner Gerard Pique and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe. De Miguel, who had scored 11 goals for Tenerife this season, is survived by his young daughter.