Olympics star left with gruesome injury and blood pouring from eye after brutal collision in water polo clash

A WATER POLO star's cheek was covered in blood after she cut her eye in the most gruesome moment of a brutal Olympics match.

Canadian Blaire McDowell was hurt in a collision during a play-off contest with Italy.

And following defeat to the Azzurri, it's unclear if she will be fit enough to play in Saturday's play-off against Greece for seventh place.

But the injury certainly looked nasty.

McDowell's padded cap failed to protect her from the cut to her skin on the corner of her left eye.

Water polo players use headgear to identify them and their team, but also as a guard against injury.

However, it's mainly to protect ears, such as if the ball hits a head.

McDowell grimaced as blood streamed down her cheek.

And it will only have made her mood worse following a 10-5 loss.

McDowell did manage to score, but Roberta Bianconi and Roberta Claudia Marletta netted twice apiece in a comfortable win for Italy.

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It means the Azzurri will battle with Hungary for fifth place.

Spain and Australia will battle it out for gold - after each needed a shootout to triumph in their tense semi-finals.

The Spanish saw off the Netherlands 19-18, via a 5-4 success in the extras.

And the Aussies pipped the USA 14-13, thanks to a 6-5 shootout triumph - their third such nailbiting victory of the Games.