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Álvaro Morata hurt and couldn’t work after being slid into by security guard in their victory against France .
Spain captain Alvaro Morata has twisted his knee in a freak accident after a security guard slipped and fell into him only minutes after his country qualified for the Euro 2024 final.
Spain were excellent on Tuesday night as Lamine Yamal shone in a 2-1 win over France in the semi-final of the European Championship.
However, just moments after the game finished and the Spanish players gathered for their celebrations, a security guard could be seen slipping on the surface of the pitch and smashing into Morata’s knee.
The Atletico Madrid striker was wincing in pain as his knee twisted from the impact and was visibly upset as he left the pitch.
Spain are hopeful that he will be fit for Sunday’s final but face an anxious wait with their skipper due for a scan on Wednesday.
Why Spain captain Alvaro Morata is not suspended for Euro 2024 semi-final
Spain have received a boost with the news that captain Alvaro Morata is available to start their Euro 2024 semi-final against France.
It was initially reported that the striker was banned for the clash after being booked against Germany.
Why can Alvaro Morata play against France?
Despite UEFA and TV coverage of Spain’s 2-1 win over Germany showing that Morata had been booked in the aftermath of Mikel Merino’s winner, that wasn’t actually the case.
It has all been a big mix-up, and the Atletico Madrid striker didn’t get a second yellow of the tournament.
He was asked about this after helping his side beat the hosts in the quarter-final and confirmed he hadn’t been booked.
Morata received a yellow card in the 4-1 win over Georgia, which would have left him vulnerable to a suspension if he had picked up a yellow card in the quarter-final.Morata can play for Spain against France
It was reported he did, but UEFA have clarified that Morata was not punished in the incident.
Therefore, he is available to start for La Roja.
Spain are though without Dani Carvajal and Robin le Normand through suspension while Pedri is injured.
So, having Morata back is a boost for Spain as they look to make it through to the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, where they would face England or Netherlands.
The 31-year-old former Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid striker has started four of their five games at the tournament.
Morata, despite his vast experience and being the captain, is a divisive figure in Spain and has faced plenty of criticism over the course of his career.
He hit back at his critics this week in an explosive interview with El Mundo and suggested he could quit international duty and Atletico Madrid after the Euros due to the lack of respect in his home country.
“In Spain it’s hard for me to be happy,” Morata said. “Without doubt [I’m happier outside of Spain]. I’ve said it many times. Above all, because people respect me. In Spain there’s no respect for anything or anyone.
“The other day, people said I was crying [on the touchline] because I’d been given a yellow card.
“What nonsense is that! I was crying because my country, with me as captain, had got into the semi-finals.
“I could never criticise someone who was crying because of that. But I’m criticised, when I’d cut my hand off to win the Euros.”
He added: “I try to enjoy this tournament, which could be my last games with the national team, and in the future, what will be, will be.
“Maybe one day they’ll even miss me. Each day, the moment for leaving is closer, that’s why I enjoy it, that’s why I’ll cry at whatever comes next, for good or bad.”
