Hard blow for the Netherlands, the next opponent of the Blue in the quarter-finals of Euro 2022 on Saturday.
While the France team had suffered the package of its striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, an injury now affects a star player of the Dutch selection, Lieke Martens.
The Federation of the Netherlands announced it on social networks, Lieke Martens will leave England this Tuesday evening, and she cannot be replaced.
Touched on the foot during the victory against Switzerland (4-1), the winger who signed at PSG can therefore no longer hold her place.
Lieke Martens heeft tijdens de wedstrijd tegen Zwitserland een voetblessure opgelopen.
Uit nader onderzoek is gebleken dat het voor haar niet meer mogelijk is om nog in actie te komen tijdens dit EK.
Heel veel sterkte Lieke.
🧡https://t.co/0E8xFMM9J8
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) July 19, 2022
Coach Mark Parsons expressed his disappointment: “This is terrible news for Lieke and for us.
“Sacred best player of the last Euro at home, Lieke Martens is a major player of the Oranjes.
The 29-year-old striker is among the top scorers of her selection, behind in particular Vivianne Miedema, affected by the Covid at the start of the competition.
European champion in 2012 and finalist in the last Champions League with FC Barcelona, Lieke Martens joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Lieke Martens signed with Paris until 2025, a club "very close to winning a lot of titles", according to her.
The Netherlands will therefore have to do without their superstar against France in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Les Bleues are looking for a first qualification in the semi-finals of a Euro.