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Spain midfielder Pedri had to be withdrawn only minutes into his country’s European Championship quarter-final due to a left knee injury.
Pedri, 21, was on the end of a heavy challenge from Germany’s Toni Kroos in the opening five minutes of the game in Stuttgart. The Barcelona man had to receive treatment on the pitch before being substituted off and replaced by Dani Olmo in the eighth minute.
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Pedri appeared visibly upset as he left the pitch and at half-time, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed their medics were evaluating an internal-lateral sprain on his left knee.
On Saturday, the day after Spain’s quarter-final win, the RFEF said Pedri has been diagnosed with a “grade 2 internal lateral sprain in his left knee”. He will remain with the Spain team throughout the Euros, the RFEF added.
Kroos, who will retire from football after the Euros, did not receive a yellow card from English referee Anthony Taylor for his foul on Pedri. Spanish fans on social media immediately questioned why the German had not been shown a yellow card with some calling for him to have been sent off.
Pedri has seen his minutes managed carefully by Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente during the Euros. He played 59 minutes in their opening game against Croatia before managing 71 against Italy. Pedri was then rested entirely in Spain’s final group game against Albania and then played 52 in their 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia.
Olmo, meanwhile, has enjoyed a successful tournament despite his limited minutes. The RB Leipzig attacking midfielder registered an assist in the 1-0 win over Albania and scored off the bench against Georgia.
After beating Germany 2-1 thanks to an extra-time winner from Mikel Merino, Spain will face France in their Euro 2024 semi-final. That game will take place at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on Tuesday, July 9.
(Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)