The City skipper collided with Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic after 34 minutes of Belgium’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying win, breaking his nose, fracturing an eye socket and suffering concussion.
Kompany had leaped to try to get in a header from a corner, but Stojkovic rushed out and tried to punch the ball, appearing to accidentally catch his opponent with fist and elbow.
After briefly leaving the field for treatment, he continued until the end of the game, showing ‘extraordinary courage’, according to Belgium manager Marc Wilmots.
Belgium team doctor Kris van Crombrugge examined Kompany on the sidelines and decided he could continue. He said afterwards: “He was groggy and I immediately saw he had a broken nose.
“I did a neurological examination. I checked his pupils and I asked him some basic questions to check that he could give consistent answers.”