A goalkeeper for a Belgian football team fell and died during a match just moments after saving a penalty, leaving the team and its players in mourning.
A 25-year-old goalkeeper died unexpectedly after saving a penalty for his team.
Arne Espeel, a goalkeeper for Winkel Sport B in Belgium, died suddenly after saving a penalty for his team. He collapsed on the pitch shortly after the win over SK Westrozebeke and showed no signs of life.
When the paramedics arrived and began to treat him with a defibrillator, desperate players and teammates rushed to administer first aid. However, he died in hospital and they were unable to save him.
"Arne had played for us since he was a youngster and everyone was very fond of him," the club said in a statement.
"How something like this could happen to someone so young is beyond comprehension. He was a perfectly healthy young man before.
Winkel Sport led 2-1 before Westrozebeke's penalty. Espeel's save to keep his team ahead was greeted with wild celebrations.
He soon got to his feet and started celebrating when it looked like he'd fallen. The seventh-round tie was then abruptly abandoned. Although the exact cause of death is not yet known, it is understood that an autopsy will be carried out on 13 February.
Stefaan Dewerchin, an assistant coach at Winkel Sport, said: "The ball was still in play. When our goalkeeper tried to catch the ball, he quickly fell to the ground. It was quite upsetting to watch.
Patrick Rotsaert, the club's sporting director, added: "It's a tragedy and a shock for us. Arne was adored by everyone at the club and had spent his whole life there. It's a crushing blow.