{"id":182045,"date":"2022-11-23T10:27:50","date_gmt":"2022-11-23T09:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pre.efe.com\/?p=182045"},"modified":"2022-11-23T10:27:52","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T09:27:52","slug":"lucas-hernandez-to-miss-rest-of-world-cup-as-frances-injury-woes-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pre.efe.com\/en\/qatar-world-cup\/2022-11-23\/lucas-hernandez-to-miss-rest-of-world-cup-as-frances-injury-woes-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Lucas Hernandez to miss rest of World Cup as France\u2019s injury woes grow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Al Wakrah, Qatar, Nov 23 (EFE).- France defender Lucas Hernandez will miss the rest of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after he tore his ACL in the team\u2019s opener against Australia, the French national team confirmed on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The Bayern Munich player, 26, went down in the ninth minute of Tuesday\u2019s Group D match at the Al Janoub Stadium, during the build up for Australia\u2019s opening goal, and clutched his right knee before he was aided off the pitch. He was replaced by his brother, Theo Hernandez, 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


France went on to win the game 4-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


The French Football Federation said in a statement <\/a>Wednesday that a scan revealed Hernandez had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Players of France check on their teammate Lucas Hernandez who lies injured on the ground during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group D soccer match between France and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, 22 November 2022. EFE\/EPA\/Ronald Wittek<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


France\u2019s head coach Didier Deschamps said he was \u201cextremely sorry\u201d for Hernandez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u201cLucas is a fighter, and I have no doubt that he will give it his all to return to his best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


It was the latest in a long list of injuries to beset the defending champions, regarded as one of the favorites to lift the World Cup again this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Just before the competition got underway, France confirmed that their star striker and this year\u2019s Ballon D\u2019Or winner Karim Benzema would be sidelined through injury, although Deschamps decided not to replace him in the traveling squad, insisting that the 25 players at his disposal was \u201csufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Forward Christopher Nkunku was ruled out before the squad traveled to Qatar, and was replaced by Kolo Muani. In defense, Prenel Kimpembe was withdrawn through injury and his place handed to Axel Disasi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Victime d'une rupture du ligament crois\u00e9 ant\u00e9rieur du genou droit, @LucasHernandez<\/a> doit renoncer au Mondial.

Tout le groupe lui souhaite le meilleur r\u00e9tablissement possible \ud83d\udc99#FiersdetreBleus<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TIgHi3qOPJ<\/a><\/p>— Equipe de France \u2b50\u2b50 (@equipedefrance) November 23, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>