Artem Stepanov's Injury Spoils Dream Month

Artem Stepanov’s dream month ended in tears on the De Kuip turf.

The FC Utrecht striker, in the form of his life and on the brink of a Ukraine debut, limped out of the clash with Feyenoord in the first half after a painful-looking injury – and left the pitch crying.

From record run to cruel twist

Around the half-hour mark in Rotterdam, disaster struck. Stepanov tangled with Feyenoord defender Givairo Read, landed awkwardly and immediately clutched at his leg. One look at his reaction told the story: this was bad.

The tall forward sat down on the grass, visibly distraught, hands to his face as medical staff rushed over. He tried to continue, but the treatment on the pitch made no difference. Moments later, the verdict was clear. His afternoon was over.

Anthony Correia came on in his place, while Stepanov walked off in tears, consoled by teammates as he headed straight for the dugout.

It was a brutal interruption to a stunning start to life in the Eredivisie. Despite Utrecht’s poor opening to the season, Stepanov had been their bright light, scoring in each of his first five league games. That run put him alongside illustrious company, matching Rafael van der Vaart’s feat from 2001.

Ukraine debut in serious doubt

His form had not gone unnoticed. The goals earned him a call-up to the Ukraine national team, with the Nations League group stage kicking off on Friday against Hungary.

That debut is now in serious jeopardy.

With the injury clearly serious enough to force an early withdrawal, the question is no longer whether Stepanov has done enough to deserve his place, but whether he will be fit in time to take it. The Utrecht forward has already represented Ukraine at various youth levels, yet a first senior cap has so far eluded him.

He had never been closer.

Now, as medical tests await and Ukraine’s preparations continue, one of the most in-form strikers in the Eredivisie can only hope this setback delays, rather than derails, the international breakthrough he has been working towards.