Nico Williams overcomes injury scare to shape the World Cup final | OneFootball

Nico Williams went from fearing his World Cup was over to influencing the final against Argentina. According to as.com, he thought he was finished after Canobbio’s late kick against Uruguay.

Tests then eased the panic, the right adductor was not torn, only overloaded. He had already been nursing a left hamstring complaint that slowed his start to the tournament, after missing 107 days for Athletic with groin, pubalgia and muscle issues.

De la Fuente lifted him and minutes returned, first in the quarter-final against Belgium, then in the semi with France. In the final he was sent on in the 75th minute with extra time looming.

He was electric, quick and persistent, his first act a recovery in his own half. He beat men and unsettled Argentina, then twice went close, a rocket from range and a header from the six-yard box, both repelled by an inspired Dibu Martínez.

On 106 minutes Porro delivered a cross that drifted long, Williams refused to give it up and with a deft crown-of-the-head flick he laid it on perfectly for Ferran to make history.

Without starting he ranked second for shots with three, joint first with Lamine and Ferran for shots on target with two, third for crosses with five, and second with Fabián and Rodri for chances created with two. He completed 21/22 passes, savoured New York, then climbed to the stands to share it with his family and his mother.

Source: as.com