SEATTLE — Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said Amadou Onana suffered a “serious injury” in Monday’s 4-1 victory over the United States that will almost certainly keep the midfielder out of Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against Spain.
Onana went down in the 19th minute while marking the US’s Christian Pulisic and grabbed his right knee in obvious pain. The 24-year-old attempted to continue but was replaced two minutes later by Hans Vanaken, who went on to score the Red Devils’ third goal.
Garcia said after the match that Onana’s injury was serious and called it the “one dark cloud over tonight.”
Onana had played a significant role in Belgium’s quick start at Seattle Stadium, consistently disrupting the United States’ midfield connections and helping to execute the Red Devils’ plan to create a high-pressing game plan.
He was seen on crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee during Belgium’s post-match celebration on the pitch.
“It’s not good news for him as an individual or for us as a team,” Garcia said. “I do have the feeling that he is out.”
