Jaba Kankava saved his unconscious opponent’s life during a match by pulling his tongue from blocking his airway.

Dynamo Kiev captain Oleg Gusev was heroically saved by an opposition player after a horrific clash during a Ukrainian Premier League match against Dnipro.

The 30-year-old was knocked unconscious after competing for a cross with keeper Denys Boyko and appeared in severe danger of swallowing his tongue before Dnipro midfielder Jaba Kankava  intervened.

Gusev was left sprawled on the turf after getting an accidental knee to the face, but Kankava reacted first by forcing his hand down the player’s throat to clear his airways.

Medical officials soon joined the throng of players trying to save the Ukraine international before Gusev eventually recovered and left the field on a stretcher.