France’s World Cup semi-final showdown against Spain went from bad to worse after William Saliba was forced off through injury.
The centre-back looked notably in discomfort after sitting on the turf after 28 minutes and holding his back. Despite receiving treatment, he was unable to continue, with Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix taking his place.
Saliba’s enforced withdrawal came shortly after Les Bleus fell behind in Arlington, Texas. Lucas Digne’s clumsy high foot on Lamine Yamal on 22 minutes gifted away a penalty, which Mikel Oyarzabal coolly converted.
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William Saliba Injury Blow Latest
Saliba went to ground without any contact after the apparent muscle injury, and he was taken off two minutes later with the assistance of two members of the French medical team.
Arsenal supporters will be hoping the 25-year-old is able to recover quickly.
They return to club duties against Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 before opening their Premier League campaign against Coventry on August 21.
Last month, the centre-back admitted he was playing through discomfort at the World Cup after a long, gruelling season in North London.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” Saliba said. “I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League.
“But the coaching staff are handling it very well.
“The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 per cent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 per cent either – you can’t make excuses.”
However, Saliba had started and played the full 90 minutes of every match for France at the World Cup, the 4-1 win against Norway in the group stage aside, as their progression to the knockouts had also been sealed.
