Thomas Delaney's World Cup is over after leaving the field against Tunisia before halftime, dealing a painful blow to Denmark.
Thomas Delaney, a midfielder for Denmark, was forced off against Tunisia in Group D's opening game due to injury, and he will now miss the rest of the World Cup.
In Tuesday's scoreless draw in Al Rayyan, the Sevilla player got off to a good start for Kasper Hjulmand's team but left during first-half injury time and was replaced by Mikkel Damsgaard.
The 31-year-old's knee injury, which will prevent him from playing immediately and force the end of his tournament, was confirmed on Wednesday, dealing a blow to Denmark's hopes.
“We will miss him, both on and off the pitch," Hjulmand said after the news was revealed in a brief statement.
"Other players are ready, and we have a strong squad for the next matches."
Delaney, a veteran of 72 matches, was crucial to the country's march to the Euro 2020 semifinals after Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest the previous year.
Denmark had been predicted as a potential dark horse candidate going into the tournament, but that has changed now that the Manchester United playmaker is well and back in the mix.
However, a difficult match against a tenacious Tunisia has created an intriguing route through the remainder of Group D to the knockout rounds.
On November 26, Denmark will take on the reigning champions, France, before taking on Australia on November 30.