During the 90th minute of New Zealand’s World Cup Qualifier against New Caledonia on Friday, New Zealand striker Shane Smeltz took to cleat to the face from a New Caledonia defender and the result was not pretty.

Smeltz pleaded with the referee to stop play, but the referee awarded a goal kick as Smeltz lay in agony. Watch the footage below.

WARNING: Graphic images.

A closer look shows just how bad the injury was.

Screen shot 2013-03-22 at 3.31.09 PM

UPDATE:

Smeltz tweeted a picture of his forehead after he had been treated for his injuries.

yikes

[DirtyTackle]