Fernando Torres released from hospital after sickening clash

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres has been released from hospital after being knocked unconscious while playing Deportivo la Coruna on Thursday night.

It was feared the former Liverpool and Chelsea star had suffered a "traumatic brain injury", but tests, including an MRI scan, found no serious injury and he was discharged on Friday, although ordered to rest for 48 hours.

Torres landed heavily following an aerial challenge with Depor substitute Alex Bergantinos and appeared to lose consciousness when his head hit the turf.

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"The incident occurred in the 85th minute and players from both sides, clearly distressed and anxious, rushed to Torres’s aid, with several trying to make sure he did not swallow his tongue," says The Times.

Deportivo club doctor Carlos Larino praised Torres's Atleti team-mates Gabi and Sime Vrsaljko. He "commended the way the two players responded in the immediate aftermath of the incident", says the Daily Mail.

He said: "They were perfect. They did what they had to do. Gabi got bitten while trying to get his tongue. The attention was very quick. What they did was perfect."

Play was held up as medics attended the 32-year-old Spanish international and "an eerie silence fell over the Riazor stadium", says the Daily Telegraph.

The club later confirmed that Torres "did not suffer alterations or traumatic injuries" in the incident.

The game finished 1-1 with Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann scoring a second-half equaliser after Florin Andone had given Deportivo a shock lead.