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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

Álvaro Morata hurt after being slid into by security guard in Spain celebrations

Alvaro Morata is consoled as he leaves the field after being knocked over.
Alvaro Morata is consoled as he leaves the field after being knocked over. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Uefa/Getty Images

The Spain forward Álvaro Morata was seen limping and holding his knee after a security guard slipped and slid into him following La Roja’s 2-1 win over France in their Euro 2024 semi-final.

Morata, who was substituted after 76 minutes of the game, was seen grimacing and in some discomfort after the incident, which occurred as the Spain players were celebrating at the end of the pitch in front of their fans. A pitch invader came in from the side and tried to take a selfie with some of the players, and the security guard was trying to get to him when he slipped and fell into Morata.

Luis de la Fuente said he hoped his captain would be fit to lead the attack in Sunday’s final against England or the Netherlands, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday night. “With Álvaro, we are going to wait until tomorrow,” Spain’s coach said. “We don’t think it was anything, it was during the celebrations but we think he’s going to be OK.”

Nine minutes into the game Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring with a header, becoming the first France player to net a goal from open play at the tournament. Kylian Mbappé went close to doubling the lead with a blocked effort before Lamine Yamal levelled the score after 21 minutes, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the tournament.

Spain were soon ahead after Dani Olmo’s smooth first touch took him past Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jules Koundé could not keep out the midfielder’s powerful shot as the ball deflected into the net.

France fashioned chances at the start of the second half after Didier Deschamps made a triple substitution by sending on Antoine Griezmann, Bradley Barcola and Eduardo Camavinga, but Spain were able to protect their lead.

Spain’s victory meant they became the first side to win six consecutive games at a European Championship without the need for penalties.

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