GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has announced that while the team advanced to the World Cup knockout stage by topping Group H after a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, they incurred some injury concerns. Wingers Nico Williams and Yéremy Pino are both facing doubts regarding their continuation in the tournament.
Both players were brought on as substitutes in the second half, following Álex Baena‘s goal before halftime. However, concerns arose as Pino suffered a collarbone injury during the match and left in visible pain, while Williams reported a muscular issue, having just returned from a prior injury.
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De la Fuente expressed concern over the injuries: “[Williams] experienced some discomfort. It might be a strain, or perhaps fatigue. But what pains us the most is Yéremy’s situation, as he could potentially miss the remainder of the World Cup.”
Pino left the stadium with his arm in a sling. “It seems to be a collarbone injury,” de la Fuente commented. “We will see; he’ll undergo tests tomorrow. He’s in considerable pain. His determination to finish the game was commendable.”
Williams has had a challenging season, grappling with form and fitness issues both at Athletic Club in LaLiga and now with the national team.
Despite the injuries, de la Fuente refrained from criticizing Uruguay’s Marcelo Bielsa for his team’s physical tactics in the second half, which resulted in Agustín Canobbio receiving a red card. “I still hold Bielsa in high regard,” he noted. “Ultimately, it’s the players who compete. We didn’t feel entirely at ease during the match, but that’s what the referee is there for. It was a fiercely contested game.”