The English team confirmed this Saturday through a statement that FC Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh has not suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her right knee and that she will continue her rehabilitation at the team’s base in Terrigal (Australia).

“Following a scan on Saturday afternoon, we can confirm that Keira Walsh has not suffered an ACL injury. Walsh was ruled out of Tuesday’s final Group D game against China in Adelaide and will remain at the Terrigal base to continue her recovery,” the statement said.

His knee injury will continue to be assessed by England medical staff and no further updates will be provided at this stage.

Walsh, the undisputed starter at Barça and England, was substituted during his team’s victory against Denmark (1-0) last Friday. In an action completely alone, her knee fell behind him, falling to the ground and calling for medical attention. On her lips you could read how she told the team doctors that it was about her knee.

The Barça player left the field of play on a stretcher and in tears in the 38th minute. The images heralded the worst and many voices were raised about the plague of crusader injuries that threatens women’s football. Among them, that of the star of the Netherlands, Miedema, absent from the tournament due to this same injury: “It is devastating to see the number of injuries that are being registered in this tournament so far. This World Cup should have been played with a 26-player squad to reduce stress on the players and allow coaches to manage injuries properly,” she wrote in a post on her social media.

Hours later, the medical statement has ruled it out, to the relief of the England team, and FC Barcelona. Walsh has been a starter all season, since his arrival to replace the loss of Alexia Putellas. His performance has been excellent and, with the gradual return of the Ballon d’Or to the pitch, he remains to see how Jonatan Giráldez will fit the pieces together.

For now, Walsh will remain at England’s base camp, on Australian soil. His presence in the next game is completely ruled out and Sarina Wiegman will have to think of an alternative for Tuesday’s duel against China, where they will close the group stage