France defender William Saliba left Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal in the first half with an injury.
Saliba went down in an innocuous moment, with the ball at his feet in the 29th minute. He lowered himself to the turf, kicked the ball out of play, and called for medical attention.
The exact nature of the injury is as yet unclear, but Saliba’s inability to continue was concerning. Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix immediately rushed to warm up, and was then readied by French coaches as a substitute. Lacroix replaced Saliba as the 25-year-old Arsenal centre-back walked slowly off the field, accompanied by two members of the team’s medical staff.
Saliba was a force all season for Arsenal, and helped power the club to its first Premier League title in 22 years.
He had also been solid for France throughout this World Cup, but had been battling and managing a back issue. He missed the group-stage finale against Norway after France had already qualified, with Lacroix starting in his place alongside Dayot Upamecano. Saliba’s problem was not one that prevented him from playing for a team that had not conceded a goal in its first three knockout matches, but was a lingering concern.
Then on Tuesday, shortly after France conceded its first goal of the knockouts — a penalty stemming from a foul by left-back Lucas Digne on Lamine Yamal — Saliba went down and had to be withdrawn, briefly having a word with France coach Didier Deschamps as he exited the pitch.
France trailed Spain 1-0 at the time of the injury.
Saliba injury a concern — but maybe not a surprise
Analysis by senior writer Stuart James
The sight of Saliba limping off with an injury in their World Cup semi-final against Spain completed a miserable first half for France, yet it was also not particularly surprising given the comments that the Arsenal defender has made this summer.
A key pillar for club and country, Saliba has been playing through pain for some time and made no secret of the fact that he was not 100 per cent fit earlier in the tournament.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” he said before France’s group game against Iraq. “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.”
His centre-back partnership with Upamecano for France is every bit as important as the relationship he has with Gabriel at club level. Strong in the tackle and an excellent reader of the game, Saliba also brings composure on the ball and experience. In contrast, Lacroix, his replacement against Spain, was winning only his sixth cap.
Arsenal, naturally, will be concerned given Saliba’s importance to the team. The Premier League champions start their title defence against Coventry City in just over a month’s time. Saliba looks and sounds like a player who needs an extended rest.
