Next personal setback for football world champions France: Lucas Hernandez, defender of record champions Bayern Munich, was replaced early on with a serious injury in the 4-1 win against Australia.
The morning after the game against Australia, our worst fears were confirmed: Hernandez’s cruciate ligament ruptured. This was announced by the French association FFF on Wednesday. Hernandez has to reckon with a six-month break.
Unsuccessful defensive action in the initial phase
Hernandez had fallen to the ground in the early stages of an unsuccessful defensive action and had then held his right knee. It quickly became clear that things couldn’t go on. Supported by paramedics, he limped off the field, national coach Didier Deschamps spoke of a “heavy blow” for his team.
Immediately before the start of the tournament, Deschamps had to cope with the loss of top scorer Karim Benzema. Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig, N’Golo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe are also missing anyway.
Giroud dedicates the win to Hernandez
“We realized immediately that it was something worse,” said France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris after the game against the Socceroos: “Of course it’s a setback, but we’re going on and looking ahead.”
The teammates were shocked too. Olivier Giroud had just shot himself into the history books, but the Equipe Tricolore’s all-time record goalscorer showed no signs of elation. “We are sad about Lucas, we want to dedicate this win to him,” Giroud said after the win against Australia.