France have confirmed that defender Lucas Hernandez has been ruled out of the rest of the 2022 World Cup after tearing his ACL.
The Bayern Munich man started at left-back in Les Bleus' opening Group D game versus Australia on Tuesday night, where the defending champions recovered from going a goal down to win 4-1.
Just before Craig Goodwin's opener for Australia in the ninth minute, Hernandez went down off the ball while attempting to defend against Mathew Leckie, who skipped past the Frenchman to cross for Goodwin after he had hit the turf.
Hernandez was helped to his feet and hobbled off to be replaced by his brother Theo Hernandez, and Didier Deschamps admitted after the game that the 26-year-old's injury seemed "rather serious".
Multiple outlets reported that Hernandez had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, and Les Bleus have now confirmed the worst, with the versatile Bayern defender now ruled out of the rest of the World Cup.
"Lucas Hernandez had an MRI at the Aspetar clinic after the match against Australia (4-1). This examination unfortunately confirmed the clinical diagnosis: a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee. Lucas Hernandez is therefore unfortunately forfeited for the rest of the World Cup," a statement read.
Deschamps sent his well-wishes to Hernandez after the announcement, telling fff.fr: "Like the whole group, players and staff, I am extremely sorry for Lucas. We are losing an important element.
"Lucas is a warrior and I have no doubt that he will do everything possible to return to the game. I know him well: courage, he will have it, that's for sure. On behalf of the group, I wish him the best possible recovery."
Hernandez adds to a lengthy injury list for France, who are also without Karim Benzema, Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher Nkunku and Mike Maignan as they prepare for their second Group D match against Denmark on Saturday.
Ben Knapton
