Colombia striker Carlos Bacca has been ruled out of the World Cup for up to 10 days with a muscle injury all but guaranteeing his absence from the group stages, announced his country’s soccer federation.
This now means that Colombia’s striking options have been further reduced for Colombia’s second group match against Ivory Coast on Thursday.
Bacca, 27, has been touted as one to watch during this year’s World Cup after an impressive domestic season in Spain with his club Sevilla during which he scored 14 league goals in 35 La Liga appearances. He scored a further seven goals as he helped the Spanish club win the Europa League.
Bacca has been capped 11 times by Colombia and has scored three goals. He was seen as an important replacement for Colombia’s star striker Radamel Falcao who was forced to miss the World Cup through injury, although he did not feature in Colombia’s 3-0 opening win against Greece.
MORE: Falcao not going to World Cup: Colombia coach
The Colombia Soccer federation announced that, “Carlos Bacca suffered a grade one muscle injury, which requires a treatment period of 7-10 days.”
It is likely that Bacca will also be unavailable for Colombia’s final group match against Japan on Monday as well.
Bacca pulled out of Colombia’s first training session after their 3-0 opening victory against Greece after a mishit of the ball, reported Colombia’s Caracol Radio.
MORE: Colombia’s World Cup striker, Carlos Bacca, leaves practice with possible injury
Although Bacca did not feature in Colombia’s opening 3-0 win against Greece, he last scored in a 2-0 friendly victory against Senegal in May in preparation for the World Cup.
MORE: Colombia beats Greece 3-0 in 1st World Cup match in 16 years
Sources
- Colombia cumplió doble jornada el lunes (Federacion Colombiana de Futbol)
- Contractura deja a Carlos Bacca sin posibilidades de jugar frente a Costa de Marfil (Caracol Radio)
