Belgium's World Cup campaign has suffered a major blow as midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The 24-year-old sustained the injury during Monday's round of 16 match against the United States in Seattle, according to a statement from the Belgian football federation.
Injury occurred in opening minutes
Onana went down in the 12th minute of the match at Lumen Field after an apparent non-contact injury. He was immediately attended to by medical staff and was unable to continue, being substituted off the field. The federation confirmed on Tuesday that scans revealed a complete ACL tear in his left knee, ending his participation in the tournament.
The injury is a significant setback for Belgium, who had advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating the United States 2-1. Onana had been a key figure in midfield, starting all four matches for the Red Devils in the tournament.
Impact on Belgium's depth
Onana's absence leaves a void in Belgium's midfield as they prepare for a quarterfinal clash. The Everton loanee at Aston Villa had been praised for his physical presence and ball-winning abilities. Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco will now have to rely on other options such as Youri Tielemans or Orel Mangala to fill the gap.
According to the federation, Onana will return to his club for rehabilitation and is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months. The injury also raises questions about his availability for the remainder of the club season with Aston Villa.
Reaction from teammates
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne expressed sympathy for Onana, saying, "It's devastating for him and for the team. He's been fantastic for us. We'll do our best to win for him." The team is set to face either Portugal or Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Friday.
