Saliba's World Cup Exit
Arsenal's William Saliba Limps Off World Cup Semi-Final with Injury, Raising Club Concerns
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Key Points
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Saliba was substituted around the 29th-30th minute, with Maxence Lacroix coming on to replace him as France trailed 1-0 to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty.
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Saliba has been dealing with a back-related issue and has admitted playing through pain this season, stating he’s “not at 100%” after a long club campaign, with speculation that surgery could follow after the World Cup.
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France head coach Didier Deschamps had earlier rested Saliba for a group-stage match against Norway, reflecting an ongoing management of the defender’s fitness across the tournament.
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Saliba’s workload this season has been heavy, featuring 43 appearances and around 3,700 minutes across the Premier League and Champions League for Arsenal.
Arsenal and France defender William Saliba limped off in the World Cup semifinal against Spain, leaving the pitch around the 29th minute with a suspected muscle problem. France were already trailing 1-0 to a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty when Saliba went down, with Maxence Lacroix coming on to replace him Yahoo Sports.
The injury is a major blow for both club and country. Saliba had already admitted he was not fully fit, telling reporters he has been playing through pain after a gruelling club season. His early exit left France a man down in quality at a critical moment, chasing the game against Spain.
Saliba Forced Off as France Fall Behind Spain
Saliba had been managing a back issue throughout the tournament. France coach Didier Deschamps rested him for a group-stage match against Norway to protect the defender's fitness. That careful handling was not enough to keep him on the pitch in the semifinal The Independent.
Lacroix stepped in as Saliba's replacement just before the half-hour mark. France faced a tough task from that point, needing to overturn a one-goal deficit without one of their best defenders. The severity of the muscle injury was not immediately confirmed by the French medical staff.
Saliba Playing Through Pain After Marathon Club Season
Saliba made 43 appearances for Arsenal this season, logging around 3,700 minutes across the Premier League and Champions League. That workload left its mark. Saliba said before the tournament that he was "not at 100%" after such a long and demanding campaign Yahoo Sports.
His back problem had already sidelined him at points during the club season. Speculation grew before the World Cup that he might need surgery once the tournament ended. Saliba pushed through those concerns to play for France, but the semifinal proved one match too far.
What Saliba's Exit Means for Arsenal and France
Saliba has been the cornerstone of Arsenal's defence since breaking into the first team in the 2022-23 season. His ability to read the game, win duels, and stay calm under pressure made him one of the best defenders in Europe. Losing him to injury, even temporarily, is a serious concern for Arsenal heading into next season Yahoo Sports.
For France, the timing could not have been worse. A World Cup semifinal against Spain is no place to lose your first-choice centre-back inside the first half-hour. With surgery potentially on the horizon, there are real questions about how long Saliba could be out and whether he will be fit for Arsenal's pre-season preparations.
France's World Cup Run Now at a Crossroads
France entered the semifinal as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. But going a goal down and losing Saliba in the same passage of play shifted the momentum sharply toward Spain. Deschamps had to reorganise his defence on the fly in a game with no margin for error The Independent.
Updates on the full extent of Saliba's injury were still being awaited as the match continued. If the problem is serious, France could face the rest of the tournament without their most reliable defensive presence. The situation is developing, and full clarity on his condition is expected after the game.
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