Football
ESPN staff 10y

Babatunde hand broken by shot

Nigeria midfielder Michael Babatunde appeared to break his hand after being struck by the ball during the Group F clash with Argentina.

Babatunde, 21, was hit by a shot from teammate Ogenyi Onazi during the second half as he tried to move out of the way.

The Volyn Lutsk player looked in distress and was soon stretchered off after being given a protective cast for his arm. Michael Uchebo was substituted on in his place.

"I think he's got a broken hand and is going to get surgery as we speak," Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said in his postmatch news conference. "I'm not sure he's going to play again in this World Cup. It's not good."

Babatunde departed the field of play with Nigeria trailing 3-2, and the scores remained the same at full-time.

Despite the defeat, the Super Eagles advanced out of Group F to the round of 16, with Argentina going through as group winners

Babatunde has endured a frustrating World Cup, having also been stretchered off in the 1-0 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina after picking up an injury.

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