Marie-Antoinette Katoto: France striker to miss rest of Euro 2022 with serious knee injury | Football news

news7f07/15/2022

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France's Marie-Antoinette Katoto limped off France's Women Euro 2022 group D match with Belgium

France were dealt a serious blow to their Euro 2022 title as striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto missed the rest of the tournament after sustaining a serious knee injury against Belgium.

Katoto, one of France’s key players with 26 goals in 32 caps for the national team, limped off in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Belgium at half-time and it happened, she said. She had damaged meniscus and ligaments inside.

The injury is the latest in a string of long-term knee-related injuries suffered by players, with Spain’s Alexia Putellas and Northern Ireland’s Simone Magill also suffering similar setbacks in recent weeks. this.

France made it through to the quarterfinals after two group stage wins from two matches, but they will have to make it through to the knockout stages without their key players.

Corinne Diacre’s side have an all-star attack at their disposal, with Katoto club teammates Sandy Baltimore and Kadidiatou Diani – who scored against Belgium – also in their squad.

Putellas could be out for a year because of a knee injury

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Putellas, the reigning Ballon d’Or, will be absent for nearly a year after surgery to rupture a ligament.

The team announced last week that Putellas had injured his knee during a practice session in preparation for Euro 2022, a tournament they entered as one of the favorites.

“According to the club’s medical services … Alexia Putellas underwent successful surgery on Tuesday morning at the Hospital de Barcelona for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament,” Barcelona said. “The estimated period of absence is between 10 and 12 months.”

Spain hopes Putellas is fit enough for the Women’s World Cup, which begins next July in Australia and New Zealand.

Magill: I knew right away my Euros were gone

Northern Ireland striker Simone Magill told Sky Sports News after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament:

“I felt a bit of contact through my back and I took my left foot out to try to stabilize and balance. [me] but unfortunately the knee type warped inward and the ACL just broke from there. When it happened, I knew my tournament was over.

“The number of times I’ve fallen in a game and I’m back in no time… while with this game I felt like something was going on right away and I knew it was serious. I knew it. clear about that.

“I told the medical team ‘take me’ because I knew the severity of the situation and unfortunately I was right. I’m just trying to be optimistic about the whole situation, that’s all I can do.

Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports

Catch up on all the latest from Euro 2022 on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.

Coverage will be provided by Sky Sports WSL host Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis during the tournament.

They will also feature experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.

Experts and presenters will work from Sky Sports’ Women’s Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to various stadiums where matches are taking place. .

Additionally, the Sky Sports Essential Football Podcast will be renamed for the tournament to Sky Sports’ Euro Women’s Podcast from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews along with a strong lineup of shows around the league.