Why Austria’s Stefan Posch has jaw brace on face for World Cup match vs. Argentina

One of the men tasked with defending Lionel Messi on Monday is doing so with a brace on his jaw.

Austria’s Stefan Posch is wearing a protective black covering around his face and chin for their World Cup clash with Argentina in Dallas.

It’s certainly a noticeable look for Posch, one that can’t be entirely comfortable.

It was the only way Posch could play in this match, though.

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Why is Stefan Posch wearing a jaw brace?

Posch hurt his jaw colliding with a player from Jordan during Austria’s World Cup-opening 3-1 win.

He had to go to Los Angeles twice to get fitted for this brace, according to the Associated Press.

Surgery wasn’t needed, the AP added.

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Austria coach Ralf Rangnick wouldn’t tell reporters in advance whether Posch would start.

But when Austria took the field against Argentina, Posch was indeed starting.

Posch is a 29-year old defender who plays his club football in the German Bundesliga for Mainz.

His biggest assignment of his life comes at the World Cup against Messi, and he’ll just have to deal with the brace on his face.