France striker Katoto to miss rest of Euro 2022

France have been handed a serious blow to their Euro 2022 credentials with striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto set to miss the rest of the tournament after picking up a serious knee injury against Belgium.

Katoto, who is one of France’s key players with 26 goals in 32 caps for her country, limped out of Thursday’s 2-1 victory over Belgium in the first half and it has transpired she has damaged her meniscus and an internal ligament.

The injury blow is the latest in a string of long-term knee-related injuries suffered by players, with Spain’s Alexia Putellas and Northern Ireland’s Simone Magill suffering similar setbacks in recent weeks.

France have already qualified for the quarter-finals after two group-stage victories from two games, but they will have to navigate the knockout stages without their key player.

Corinne Diacre’s side have an all-star attack at their disposal, with Katoto’s club team-mates Sandy Baltimore and Kadidiatou Diani – who scored against Belgium – also in their squad.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Putellas, the current Ballon d’Or holder, will miss nearly a year of football after undergoing surgery on a ligament tear.

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The team announced last week that Putellas had injured her knee during a training session in the build-up to Euro 2022, a tournament they went into as one of the favourites.

“According to the club’s medical services. Alexia Putellas has been successfully operated on Tuesday morning at the Hospital de Barcelona for the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament,” Barcelona said. “The estimated time of absence is between 10 and 12 months.”

Spain will hope Putellas is fit in time for the women’s World Cup, which begins in July next year in Australia and New Zealand.