Netherlands player has head stapled during World Cup match with Brazil (VIDEO)

Who said third place doesn't count?

Just before halftime of Saturday’s consolation game against Brazil, the Netherlands' Dirk Kuyt suffered a nasty gash to his head that sent a stream of blood spilling down his neck. Even though the Dutch were leading 2-0 on two early goals, Kuyt was determined to finish out what would be his final international match, as was announced prior to the World Cup.

Dirk Kuyt is a hard man: After a nasty cut, he got his head stapled on the pitch. Ouch! http://t.co/8A6e8omFlV pic.twitter.com/vXQcruqlGm
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) July 12, 2014

To stop the bleeding, the Dutch utility player went to the sideline, got on his knees and let the medical staff apply staples to his head, without any medication. Kuyt returned for the second half to help the Netherlands close out its 3-0 win against Brazil and clinch the bronze.

Kuyt shows off nasty shiner after collision with teammate De Guzman

From the looks of this photo you would think Dirk Kuyt got the worst of accidental head-butt (video at bottom) from Dutch teammate Jonathan DeGuzman but, you'd be wrong in a You should see the other guy sense.

Kuyt, the former Liverpool winger, took to his Twitter page to show off the result of the incident, which left him with an extremely nasty black eye and stitches. 

The pair collided in Holland's training session while on international play this week, leaving De Guzman in need of hospital treatment, and out of their Premier League opener against Manchester United.

De Guzman certainly came off worse in his clash of heads with Kuyt, after he was carted off the pitch in need of hospital treatment, and out of their Premier League opener against Manchester United.

Before paramedics got to De Guzman,  United striker and international team-mate Robin van Persie rushed to his floored teammate's  aid. 

With his head bandaged, a groggy De Guzman was lifted onto a stretcher before being wheeled into an ambulance. 

He was taken to hospital for tests and the initial diagnosis is a mild concussion, which usually means a two-week lay-off. De Guzman had been named among the starters for Holland.