Germany's starting defender out of the World Cup

The initial fears proved to be correct — unfortunately for Germany and Nico Schlotterbeck. He underwent an MRI scan, which confirmed a tear of the medial ligament in his ankle. As originally suspected, the defender's World Cup is over. Schlotterbeck started both against Curacao and in Germany's clash with Ivory Coast. During the latter match, he felt a sharp pain in the first half. Medical staff treated him and applied ice, but he quickly realized he would be unable to continue. Julian Nagelsmann substituted him at halftime and admitted afterward that the situation did not look promising. The German camp waited for the final diagnosis, and the news was as bad as expected. It will not be welcomed in Dortmund either. The Borussia Dortmund center-back faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is expected to be out for at least two months while recovering from the injury.

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The damage to his left ankle has ruled Schlotterbeck out of the World Cup, forcing Nagelsmann to reshuffle his central defense for the remainder of the tournament. Jonathan Tah has secured his place in the starting lineup, while Antonio Rudiger is the most likely candidate to partner him at the heart of Germany's defense. When Schlotterbeck was forced off, Nagelsmann turned to Rudiger. The veteran defender has long been a pillar of the national team and will once again be relied upon as Germany enters the knockout rounds. The Germans have already secured their place in the next stage with two victories and will now have to continue their World Cup campaign without one of their first-choice defenders.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)

Sunday 21.06.

Belgium - Iran 0-0

Monday 22.06.

04.00: (6.00) New Zealand (3.60) Egypt (1.67)

Group H

Sunday 21.06

Spain - Saudi Arabia 4-0 (3-0)

/Yamal 10, Oyarzabal 21, 23, Tambakti 49 og/

Monday 22.06.

01.00: (1.55) Uruguay (3.80) Cabo Verde (7.25)

Group I

Tuesday 23.06.

00.00: (1.10) France (9.50) Iraq (28.0)

03.00: (2.50) Norway (3.35) Senegal (2.85)

Group J

Monday 22.06.

20.00: (1.60) Argentina (3.90) Austria (6.00)

Tuesday 23.06.

06.00: (5.50) Jordan (3.70) Algeria (1.67)

Group K

Tuesday 23.06

20.00: (1.22) Portugal (6.50) Uzbekistan (13.0)

Wednesday 24.06.

05.00: (1.50) Colombia (3.90) DR Congo (7.75)

Group L

Tuesday 23.06.

23.00: (1.28) England (5.70) Ghana (12.0)

Wednesday 24.06.

02.00: (6.50) Panama (3.80) Croatia (1.58)

***odds are subject to change***