Spain have been rocked by a double injury blow ahead of facing Austria in the World Cup round of 32 on Thursday.
Nico Williams, a scorer in the Euro 2024 final win over England, has been ruled out of the showdown at the Los Angeles Stadium after an injury sustained in the final Group H win over Uruguay jeopardised his involvement in the remainder of the tournament.
"Today is one of the worst days of my life," Williams said in a post on social media. "I'm injured again after a very complicated year, in which I fought many battles against a pubalgia, but won the war with sacrifice and most of all, responsibility.
"I overcame that injury, and then another one on my hamstring tested me again. Once more, I stopped smiling but I wasn't going to stop.
"Yesterday, I suffered another injury after a challenge by a fellow professional, driven by frustration, discontent, and sadness over his situation.
"It was a play that, in my opinion, could have been avoided because it was completely unnecessary."
In addition to Williams, Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Yeremy Pino is also sidelined amid fears he suffered a fractured collarbone against Uruguay that would end his World Cup.
Neither player would have been in line for a start against Austria, meaning Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has the option of resisting the temptation of making wholesale changes.
La Roja are yet to concede a goal at this summer’s World Cup. Though, while Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte and Marc Cucurella are mainstays in the back four in front of Unai Simon, Pedro Porro and Marcos Llorente are in battle for the right-back spot.
Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz are in contention to replace Arsenal’s Mikel Merino to complete the midfield three alongside Rodri and Pedri.
Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal are expected to start in attack, with Alex Baena set to benefit once again from the absence of Williams once again by keeping out Ferran Torres and Gavi.
Predicted Spain XI: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Baena; Oyarzabal
Injured: Williams, Pino
Doubts: Munoz
Time and date: 8pm BST on Thursday, July 2, 2026
How to watch: BBC
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium
