After a nerve-racking match earlier this week, where they confronted the U.S. National Team in the semifinals, Argentina has secured their spot in the Copa América Centenario final with a 4-0 score. The South American team will go head-to-head with Chile for the 2017 title. Unfortunately, they will be doing it without one of their best team members.
Ezequiel Lavezzi was off to a great start Tuesday night at the NRG Stadium in Houston, after he scored the first goal for Argentina against U.S. within the first three minutes of the match. Throughout the game, Lavezzi, who also plays for Chinese club Hebei China Fortune, was pumped and used his professional skills to full force. It was not until after team player Gonzalo Higuaín scored the third goal for the team that Lavezzi suffered an injury mid match.
At around the 63-minute mark, Lavezzi went over the board backwards as he tried to kick the ball. The incident quickly caught the attention of players in the field and fans, who immediately called for medical help. With much pain, Lavezzi was able to get up and leave the stadium in a stretcher. He was replaced by Argentine soccer player, Érik Lamela.
Following the accident, Lavezzi updated his fans on social media and was the first to confirm that he will not play with his team in the final match. Along with a photo that shows the athlete's left arm in a plaster cast, Lazezzi wrote:
Hello everyone! I want to thank you for your concern. It was very nice to receive so many warm messages. Like the medical team stated, I had a fracture-dislocation on my left elbow and will have surgery. I won't be able to play the final, but will be there to support my team-mates! Let's go, Argentina!
The Copa América Centenario final match with Argentina against Chile will air at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 26.
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