Ivory Coast's Serge Aurier helps save opponent Doumbia's life after star collapses and nearly swallows tongue during World Cup qualifying clash (photos)

Ivory Coast and PSG defender Serge Aurier helped save the life of Malian player Moussa Doumbia life after the Mali forward was knocked unconscious on Saturday and almost swallowed his tongue. According to French outlet RMC and BBC Sport, Aurier prevented his opponent from swallowing his tongue after he lost consciousness following a challenge from Sunderland defender Lamine Kone, earning the praise of Mali boss Alain Giresse, who hailed his "superb reactions."

He said:

"All the players realised that Doumbia was choking and was about to swallow his tongue. That's when Aurier, with one of our players, quickly put him on his side and pulled out his tongue, because he was about to lose his life."

Mali team co-ordinator Fousseni Diawara also praised Aurier:

"On Sunday, Aurier was at our hotel to ask after our guy." 'Doumbia fell and was swallowing his own tongue and Serge was one of the first to arrive and help,'  'That's when Aurier, with one of our players, quickly put him on his side and pulled out his tongue, because he was about to lose his life.'  'There is one thing nobody is talking about, which is the manner in which he helped a Malian on the pitch.'