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23 injury photos that prove soccer is not for the weak

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger reacts as blood flows down his face after he was fouled during their 2014 World Cup final against Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 13, 2014. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (REUTERS)
Germany's Thomas Mueller
After contesting a header with Ghana's John Boye and taking a shoulder to the face, German midfielder Thomas Mueller was left with a bloody cut above his eye and required five stitches. (Themba Hadebe/AP Photo)
United States' Clint Dempsey
Dempsey was left with a bloody and broken nose, but continued playing. After the match, he said: "I think it is broken. I was having trouble breathing and I was coughing up blood a little bit. I did feel tired, but hopefully I will be able to start breathing through my nose again and look forward to the next game." (Carlos Barria/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Netherlands' Martins Indi
Netherlands defender Bruno Martins Indi suffered a concussion after being fouled by Australia's Tim Cahill and landing hard. Martins Indi spent a night in hospital and missed the next game against Chile, but returned to training a few days later. (Marko Djurica/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Nigeria's Michael Babatunde
Talk about an unintentional hand ball. Nigeria's Michael Babatunde sustained a broken wrist after his teammate Ogenyi Onazi belted a shot against the Argentinian goal and it hit Babatunde's arm. Onazi later joked, "I swear that was a sure goal if not for (his) hand." (Darren Staples/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Nigeria's Michael Babatunde
Nigeria's Michael Babatunde is carried off after breaking his wrist during their Group F match against Argentina. After the match, the Nigerian coach stated that Babatunde was being treated but would need at least three weeks to recover. (Marko Djurica/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Italy's Giorgio Chiellini
Yes, those are Luis Suarez's bite marks on the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini. Uruguay's Suarez inexplicably sank his teeth into the Italian defender during their Group D match on June 24, 2014. After an investigation, FIFA announced that Suarez would be banned for nine matches. (Tony Gentile/Reuters) (REUTERS)
Argentina's Zabaleta grimaces after sustaining an injury during extra time in their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Netherlands in Sao Paulo
Argentina's Pablo Zabaleta grimaces after sustaining an injury following a collision with Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands (unseen) during extra time in their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 9, 2014. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes (BRAZIL - Tags: SOCCER SPORT WORLD CUP) (REUTERS)
Portugal's Fabio Coentrao
Portugal's Fabio Coentrao pulled up suddenly during the Group G match against Germany on June 16, 2014. Coentrao was diagnosed with a "second grade tear of the adductor longus muscle in the right thigh" and was ruled out of further World Cup play. (Francois Marit/Pool/Reuters) (REUTERS)

Being a contact sport with a lack of protective gear and a lot of running, jumping and tackling can make soccer a dangerous game. From bloody noses to hamstring pulls and broken limbs, here are some of the nastiest injuries sustained at the World Cup 2014.

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