Saliba Injured as France Faces Spain in World Cup Semi-Final

Arsenal’s worst World Cup fear flickered into life in Arlington, Texas, as William Saliba limped out of France’s semi-final against Spain clutching his lower back.

The centre-back, ever-present and ice-cool for club and country over the past two seasons, went down on the half-hour while in possession, immediately reaching for the area that has troubled him for months. He tried to straighten up. He couldn’t. The look told its own story.

Maxence Lacroix, already a name on Chelsea’s recruitment lists, was sent to warm up at full tilt on Didier Deschamps’ orders. Within minutes, the change was confirmed. After a quick on-field assessment and further checks, the verdict was clear enough: Saliba would not finish the 90. Off he came, on came the Crystal Palace defender, and with him a fresh layer of concern for both France and Arsenal.

It capped a bruising first half for Les Bleus, who trailed 1-0 at the break. Spain, the European champions, struck first from the penalty spot after a moment of misjudgment from Lucas Digne. The Paris Saint-Germain left-back misread a high ball, swung through it, and instead caught Lamine Yamal in the box. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and buried the spot-kick.

As France tried to steady themselves, the Saliba incident cut through their composure. This was not a freak knock. The 25-year-old had already admitted he was carrying a back problem into the tournament, a lingering issue he has been managing for several months.

“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” he told reporters before France’s group game against Iraq, explaining how he had pushed himself through the Champions League and Premier League run-in. He spoke then of “gritting my teeth” to stay on the pitch, underlining how carefully the national-team staff had been handling his workload. “The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth.”

That resolve finally met its limit in the biggest game of France’s campaign so far. For Deschamps, it was a tactical headache in the middle of a semi-final. For Arsenal, watching from afar, it was the image they dreaded: their defensive linchpin, back on the turf, hand on his lower back, forced to give in to an injury he has been fighting for too long.

How costly that moment proves to be will shape not just France’s World Cup, but Arsenal’s season to come.