2) Patrick Battiston - France v West Germany, July 8, 1982
Midfielder Battiston was clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat in the second half of this World Cup semi-final match in Seville, when he was poleaxed by German stopper Harald Schumacher.
Not so much a challenge for the ball as an assault, Schumacher somehow managed to escape unpunished for an aerial bodycheck that left the French star in a coma.
Widely considered one of the most shocking fouls in footballing history, Battiston suffered damaged vertebrae, a broken jaw and the loss of four of his front teeth.
Recovery: After his jaw was wired back into place, Battiston returned to work for his club Saint Etienne five months later.
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