Ezequiel Lavezzi ruled out of Copa America final after Argentina star breaks his elbow in dramatic fall over advertising hoardings
Argentina will be without Ezequiel Lavezzi in the Copa America final after he broke his left elbow in the second half of his team’s 4-0 semi-final win against the United States on Tuesday.
The Hebei China Fortune star tumbled backward over an advertising hoarding as he chased a loose ball during the resounding victory at the NRG Stadium in Houston.
The ball bounced off Lavezzi before he fell over the advertising sign board and broke his fall with his left arm.
Argentina’s Ezequiel Lavezzi takes a tumble over the advertising hoarding in the Copa America semi-final
The Hebei China Fortune star will miss the final after breaking his elbow in the 4-0 win over the USA
USA and Argentina players show concern for Lavezzi who had to be taken off on a stretcher in the second-half
He immediately grabbed it with the other hand as he writhed in pain, and photos showed the forearm was grotesquely out of place.
Team-mates, opposition players and coaches ran to him quickly and he was soon taken away by medical personnel.
Argentina coach Tata Martino said he will undergo more tests, and the injury will require surgery.
Lavezzi scored Argentina’s first goal in the third minute and departed with his side 3-0 up and cruising.
During the game Lionel Messi overtook Gabriel Batistuta as his country’s leading goalscorer with a superb free-kick in the 32nd minute.
Gonzalo Higuain added a second-half brace as Martino’s side eased past the tournament hosts to set up a date with either Chile or Colombia, who face each other on Wednesday night in Chicago.
Javier Mascherano has his head in his hands as the severity of Lavezzi’s injury sunk in on the players
The Argentine star was running backward before he fell and broke his fall by sticking out his left arm
The 31-year-old was in visible pain as he was helped onto a stretcher by medical staff on Tuesday night
USA’s Graham Zusi shows concern for Lavezzi during Argentina’s 4-0 win over the Copa America hosts
The former PSG and Napoli star had got Argentina off to a flying start with a goal in just the third minute
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