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England’s hopes of winning the Women’s World Cup suffered a blow on Friday when Keira Walsh was taken off the pitch on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious knee injury during the Group D match against Denmark.
The 26-year-old holding midfielder, who was an integral part of the England team that won the Euros last year, crumpled to the turf at Sydney Football Stadium without contact in the 38th minute and immediately called for medical assistance.
After a lengthy delay, Walsh left the field with her head in her hands on a stretcher and was replaced by Laura Coombs.
Walsh moved from Manchester City to Catalan giants Barcelona last year for a world record fee reported to be in the region of $470,000 (£367,000). She won a Liga F and Champions League double in her first season in Spain.
England, who beat Haiti 1-0 in their tournament opener, were leading Denmark 1-0 when Walsh departed the contest courtesy of Lauren James’s sixth minute goal.
During James’ celebrations, the midfielder attempted a knee slide but it revealed the dryness of the pitch at the Allianz Stadium as she fell over herself in the corner.
Walsh’s anguish with personal treble in jeopardy
Speaking before the Denmark game, Walsh said the prospect of completing a personal trophy treble with a World Cup win had scarcely crossed her mind.
The midfielder followed up England’s Euro 2022 triumph and player-of-the-match honours in that final with a move to Barcelona, with whom she achieved Champions League glory alongside fellow Lioness Lucy Bronze in June.
A first World Cup at the August 20 Sydney final would cap off a phenomenal 13-month run for Rochdale native Walsh, who joined the Spanish side for what was believed to be a world record fee in September.
She said: “It’s not something I’ve thought about but it would be pretty exciting.
Walsh was injured during the first half of England’s Women’s World Cup match against Denmark
“I think when I first moved to Barcelona I did have to take a deep breath. When you go into that environment and you look at their midfield it is a little bit daunting, I think is fair to say.
“They were all super helpful with it though and I’m not really on social media to see those things. I just take the game day-to-day and enjoy playing. I don’t really focus too much on what’s going on on the outside.
“But when it’s all said and done, winning the Euros and the Champions League in the space of a year, you do need to take a breath and take a step back – not to evaluate it but let it all sink in. It’s an exciting thing and then going to a World Cup as well.”
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