There were worrying scenes after Spain’s Euro 2024 semi-final victory over France as a security guard slipped and inadvertently clattered into Alvaro Morata’s knee during the side’s celebrations.
Spain came from behind to win 2-1 and book their place in Sunday’s showpiece, with Dani Olmo scoring what proved to be the winner after Lamine Yamal’s historic equaliser in Munich.
Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Theo Hernandez were all guilty of squandering inviting chances as Didier Deschamps’ France, who had earlier opened the scoring through Randal Kolo Muani, came up short in pursuit of a second after the break.
Luis de la Fuente’s players, undoubtedly the standout performers at this summer’s tournament, celebrated the moment in jubalent scenes at the full-time whistle – but their joy soon turned to concern after a freak incident involving Morata.
Footage captured by the live TV broadcast and fans in the crowd shows clearly the moment a burly member of security on duty at the stadium lost his footing while chasing a selfie-seeking pitch invader, sending him careering into the Spanish captain.
The security guard in question apologised and assisted in helping Morata away from the scene but it was clear the Atletico Madrid forward was in some discomfort.
Pictures show the former Chelsea striker clutching his knee and struggling to walk while being reassured by his team-mates.
‘It looks like he has twisted his knee. That would be the most dreadful luck,’ Gary Lineker said in the BBC Sport studio shortly after the incident.
‘Obviously he was off the field of play, he came off, but let’s hope that’s not serious. No one would wish that on anyone.’
Morata was asked for an update on his fitness after leaving Spain’s team hotel the morning after the semi-final victory over 2022 World Cup finalists France.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, he insisted he was fine and would be fully fit for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, joking that the security guard should have received a yellow card for his lunge.
Facing the media after the game, Spain head coach De la Fuente said he was hopeful that Morata would shake off the injury to play a key role in this weekend’s final in Berlin.
‘With Alvaro, we have to wait and see tomorrow. We believe it’s nothing,’ he told reporters.
‘It hurts but we think it’s nothing.’
De la Fuente believes Morata should be viewed as ‘one of the greats of Spanish football’ after leading the nation into a first major final in 12 years.
‘He is an example and the best captain we can have. He does the work that the team needs and that is why he is undisputed,’ he added.
‘He is as good off the field as he on it and there are few players like him. He is a human being of exceptional greatness.
‘I ask that he be recognised as one of the greats of Spanish football.’
Spain will face either England or the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 final. Gareth Southgate and Ronald Koeman’s teams meet in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
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