Argentina will be missing an integral part of its squad Wednesday when it takes on the Netherlands in their semifinal of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Midfielder Angel Di Maria will sit out of the game after straining his right thigh during the first half of Argentina’s win over Belgium in the quarterfinals.
Di Maria assisted on Gonzalo Higuain’s goal in that game and scored the extra-time game-winner against Switzerland in the Round of 16.
Team doctor Daniel Martinez did not deem the injury to be very serious, but it’s enough to keep Di Maria out of Argentina’s first semifinal appearance since 1990.
Argentina will look to Lionel Messi, who has scored four of the team’s eight goals in the tournament, to carry the team on his back and into the World Cup final.
Photo via Jim O’Connor/USA Today Sports Images
