Austria defender Stefan Posch caught the attention of viewers when he took the field wearing a black protective face mask for Monday’s World Cup clash with Argentina.

The two teams met at Dallas Stadium in their second Group J match after both opened the tournament with victories. But before kickoff, many fans were left wondering why the Mainz defender was sporting unusual facial protection.

What happened to Posch?

Posch suffered a fractured jaw during Austria’s opening 3-1 win over Jordan. The defender was forced off after a heavy collision with the opposing goalkeeper, and subsequent examinations confirmed the injury.

Despite the fracture, Posch avoided surgery, allowing Austria’s medical staff to focus on finding a way to keep him available for the remainder of the group stage.

Why is he wearing a mask?

According to Austrian broadcaster ORF, Posch has been cleared to play while wearing a specially designed protective mask intended to shield the injured area.

The mask was designed in Los Angeles and manufactured in Phoenix before being delivered to Austria’s camp in time for the Argentina game.

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick had already suggested before the match that Posch could feature against the reigning world champions, provided he was able to wear facial protection. The defender was ultimately declared fit and returned straight to the starting lineup despite the injury.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.