Slovakia Euro 2024 star Ondrej Duda saved ex-Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel’s life after horrific KO
England will need to get past one of world football's most composed footballers when they face Slovakia.
The Three Lions' last 16 opponents feature a player who saved his teammate's life after he was knocked unconscious.
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Slovakia were facing Thailand in 2018 when Ondrej Duda sprung into action to save the life of ex-Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel.
Skrtel was knocked out cold after a ball smashed into his temple during an international fixture.
Lying motionless on the pitch, Duda realised the severity of the situation and along with his teammates, rushed to his help.
The ex-Norwich loanee then reached into Skrtel's mouth to ensure that his airways were kept clear as he underwent treatment.
A long break in play followed as Skrtel - who played for Fenerbahce at the time - faced treatment on the pitch, before he sensationally carried on playing for another 45 minutes just moments after being unconscious.
Fenerbahce later confirmed that Skrtel had 'returned to normal' after the scare.
A statement on their club website read: "We were saddened to hear that the footballer, Martin Skrtel, fainted for a short while in the game between Slovakia and the Thailand national team.
"After the intervention, we send our wishes to the player, whose health condition has returned to normal and the situation is now good."
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Duda, now 29, will line up for Slovakia against the Three Lions in the hope of causing a major shock is Gelsenkirchen.
It was his goal in the 1-1 draw against Romania that saw Slovakia advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
He was even in their Euro 2016 squad where he faced the Three Lions in the 0-0 group stage draw.
England face Slovakia at 5pm on Sunday, live on talkSPORT, in the hope of progressing into the quarter-final of Euro 2024.