No pain, no gain: the World Cup sacrifices of Gerard Pique

A gash on his face, boot in the mouth and a ball where it hurts are his war wounds so far and we're only two games in!

A boot to the side of the head meant Pique felt Gelson Fernandes' goal for Switzerland more than most as he lay bleeding on the ground as the Spanish defence fell apart.

He was still sporting a dressing on the cut for last night's game against Honduras.

Things didn't get much better for the Spaniard in his second game, although the scoreline did.

A challenge on George Welcome resulted in a boot to the mouth and left Pique lying on the floor spitting blood.

To make matters worse the Spanish doctor decided that the best course of action was to direct some sort of spray into his mouth and then force a wad of toilet paper down his throat, an ordeal which looked more unpleasant than the original injury.

Pique's evening was nicely rounded off when he went to block a cross and it caught him right between the legs.

The much criticised Jabulani flew off the Honduran boot and caught him perfectly as the customary slow-motion replay illustrated in detail.

Although the referee found it amusing Pique himself was left bent double on the floor and finished the match with an awkward limp.

If the Spanish do live up to their tag as favourites and go all the way, you have to fear for poor Pique and the body parts he will have to sacrifice.