Argentina’s Angel Di Maria is set to be ruled out of the World Cup after tearing a muscle in his right thigh during Saturday’s 1-0 quarter-final victory over Belgium.
Di Maria, who scored a late winner in Argentina’s round of 16 victory over Switzerland, suffered the injury when attempting a shot, which was blocked by Vincent Kompany and despite the winger’s best efforts to play on, he was eventually substituted in place of Enzo Perez.
An official announcement is expected to be made on Sunday by the Argentines, with the Real Madrid star almost certain to miss the remainder of the action in Brazil.
Gonzalo Higuain scored in the eighth minute to help Argentina on their way to a narrow 1-0 win over a Belgian side who were appearing in their first World Cup quarter final tie since 1986.
The win sent Argentina into their first World Cup semi-final for as many as 24 years and they are now well placed as favourites to go on and win the trophy come July 13, despite the news of Di Maria’s injury.
Argentina now lie at a price of 3.40 to win their third World Cup, as they moved ahead of fellow semi-finalists Brazil (3.60) and Germany (3.55) in the betting.
Holland, who defeated Costa Rica in a penalty shootout to set up a semi-final clash with La Abliceleste, are currently priced at 4.30 to win the competition, while they are priced at 3.04 to defeat the South Americans and progress to the final.
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