Yéremy Pino is expected to miss the remainder of the World Cup after fracturing his collarbone during Spain’s physical 1-0 victory over Uruguay, a result that secured first place in Group H but left Luis de la Fuente’s squad severely depleted on the flanks. The Crystal Palace winger suffered the injury in a heavy fall after coming on as a second-half substitute in Guadalajara, and although he completed the match, he left the stadium with his arm in a sling.
Spain’s coach described the 22-year-old as “heroic” for playing through the pain until the final whistle, but admitted the forward is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the tournament. “Yéremy has a fracture …” De la Fuente said following the early-hours return to Tennessee, pausing before continuing: “Well, we’ll see tomorrow. He might have an injury that prevents him from playing the rest of this World Cup.”
Williams faces fitness race
The victory proved costly in other areas too, with Nico Williams now doubtful for the knockout stages due to a groin problem. The Athletic Club winger, who was introduced in the 76th minute of a confrontational encounter, departed the ground limping and will undergo assessment to determine the severity of the discomfort.
It remains unclear whether the issue stems from a dreadful challenge by Uruguay’s Nicolás de la Cruz late in the game, or from the muscle fatigue and strains that have plagued Williams throughout the campaign. The 22-year-old had targeted the Uruguay fixture as the point where he would reach full fitness following a season disrupted by a sportsman’s hernia, groin and hamstring injuries, having played just six of the previous 15 matches for club and country.
Squad depth tested as options dwindle
The double blow leaves De la Fuente facing a potential crisis on the wings. Liverpool’s new signing Víctor Muñoz has yet to feature at the tournament and remains restricted to individual training as he recovers from calf and muscular setbacks. Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal is still working his way back to full sharpness after an April injury, having managed only 19, 45 and 75 minutes across Spain’s three group matches despite starting the last two games.
“We’re getting a bit short on specialist wingers,” De la Fuente acknowledged. “We won’t change our ideas, but will have different players with different characteristics. If we can’t play with wingers, we’ll play without wingers.”
Spain are due to resume training in Chattanooga as they await medical updates on Williams and prepare for the last 32 without Pino.