KEIRA WALSH heartbreakingly said "it's over, it's over" as she was stretchered off during England's 1-0 win over Denmark this morning.
The Barcelona midfielder is a key figure for the Lionesses and had been among their standout performers during the first half against the Danes.
Ten minutes before the break disaster struck, when Walsh sustained a knee injury as her foot appeared to get stuck in the turf.
The 26-year-old immediately signalled to other players that the injury was serious, and appeared to tell the physio "I've done my knee".
She was supported by team-mates Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway.
As she was stretchered off, she told Bronze "it's over, it's over".
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Walsh was replaced by her 32-year-old former Manchester City team-mate Laura Coombs – and was later seen returning to the bench on crutches.
England went on to win 1-0 courtesy of Lauren James' early strike, but never looked as fluent an outfit without Walsh.
The midfield dynamo is among the tournament's best players, having joined Barca for a world-record £400,000 last year.
While the extent of Walsh's injury is not yet known, the Lionesses have already been blighted by injuries going into this tournament.
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Captain Leah Williamson and Ballon d'Or runner-up Beth Mead have cruelly missed out with ACL injuries, while Fran Kirby is also absent.
After the incident, Mead tweeted "Keira" alongside crying and broken heard emojis.
While Dutch Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema, who has also missed the tournament with an ACL year, tweeted: "Devastating to see the amount of injuries being picked up in this tournament so far…
"This World Cup should have been played with a 26-player squad to reduce stress on players and to let coaches deal with injuries correctly."
In the BBC studio, former Lioness Ellen White said: "I'm devastated for her to be honest. She's been one of the best if not the best player for England.
"It looks bad. She knows straight away it's not good. Who is going to replace her? We need balance, someone needs to be in that No6 to sit and hold."
The more you see it, the worse it looks
While 177-cap Fara Williams added: "The more you see it, the worse it looks.
"We are not medics but you know it's serious. Much of our good stuff in the Euros and friendlies ahead of the World Cup comes through her.
"We need some discipline in that midfield."
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After the game, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said: "Of course I’m concerned because she couldn’t walk off the pitch but we don’t know yet so we can’t make any assumptions.
"Let’s wait until we have a diagnosis then I can tell you. We brought Stanway back and brought Coombs in."
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