2019 Fifa Women's World Cup: Germany's Dzsenifer Marozsan may miss rest of tournament with broken toe

Lyon midfielder played full 90 minutes despite suffering blow to her right foot during Germany's opening 1-0 win over China last Saturday

(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 3, 2019, Lyon’s German midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan poses at the Olympique Lyonais (OL)’s training center in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon.  / AFP / JEFF PACHOUD
Powered by automated translation

Germany star Dzsenifer Marozsan has been ruled out of the remainder of the group stage – and could miss the rest of the Fifa Women's World Cup – after the Lyon player was diagnosed with a broken toe.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Germany's manager, confirmed on Tuesday that Marozsan is out of Wednesday's crucial Group B clash with Spain.

Marozsan suffered a blow to her right foot during Germany's opening 1-0 win over China last Saturday, but stayed on and played the full 90 minutes.

"Anyone who has broken a toe knows how much it hurts. She really gritted her teeth and put herself in the service of the team," said Voss-Tecklenburg, who described the 27-year-old playmaker as "irreplaceable".

"We got the diagnosis after the game and we now won't be able to count on Dzseni for the rest of the group stage.

"We have discussed it with Lyon and with Dzseni, and we will try to get her back on the pitch before the end of the tournament, but we can't make any predictions."

Marozsan is widely considered to be one of the best players in the world. Last season, she helped Lyon to a third consecutive Women's Champions League title and was crowned player of the season for the Women's Division 1, which Lyon won for the 13th year in a row.

Wednesday's game looks likely to decide which team wins Group B, with both sides keen to avoid second place and a potential last-16 meeting with world champions the United States.

Germany are unbeaten in their last 13 matches – the longest winning streak of any team in the tournament in France.

"I feel for her on a personal level. You cannot replace her because she has special qualities and abilities," Voss-Tecklenburg said of Marozsan.

Germany won the World Cup in 2003 and 2007 but were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 2011 and finished fourth in 2015.