Spain's march towards the last 32 has been dealt a significant and potentially costly blow. The selección returned to Chattanooga in the early hours...
Spain's march towards the last 32 has been dealt a significant and potentially costly blow. The selección returned to Chattanooga in the early hours of Saturday morning, their victory over Uruguay in Guadalajara now overshadowed by a sickening injury to Yéremy Pino. The Villarreal winger, so vibrant in the early exchanges of this tournament, has broken his collarbone. GoalZaza understands the prognosis is as brutal as the tackle that caused it; Pino will play no further part in this World Cup. For a squad that prides itself on depth, this is a savage removal of one of their most direct attacking outlets. His pace and willingness to run in behind gave a different dimension to a side often accused of sterile possession. Now, that option is gone.The worry does not end there. Nico Williams, the explosive Athletic Club flyer, returned from Mexico with a groin issue that is being urgently assessed by the medical staff. Initial fears are that the knock could keep him on the sidelines for a significant period, though the full extent will only be known after tests later today. Losing both wingers in the same match would be a catastrophic double blow for Luis de la Fuente. Suddenly, a squad that looked blessed with pace and trickery looks threadbare on the flanks. You have to ask yourself: can a team that relies so heavily on stretching the pitch from wide areas cope without its two most dangerous exponents of that artThe irony is that Spain got the job done in Guadalajara. A clinical win, qualification secured, and a rest week on the horizon. But football has a sick sense of humour. The victory came at the heaviest of prices. For a nation that has rebuilt its identity around tactical flexibility and a new generation of wide talent, the loss of Pino and potentially Williams leaves a gap that is not easily filled. The squad will train at 6pm local time, but the mood in the camp will be anxious. The next few hours are critical, not just for the two players, but for the entire trajectory of Spain's campaign. Squeaky bum time has arrived early for La Roja.
