Luis de la Fuente: Toni Kroos deserved red card for foul that ended Pedri's Euro 2024

  • Pedri set to miss rest of Euro 2024 due to knee injury
  • Problem sustained early on in Spain's 2-1 win against Germany
  • Luis de la Fuente wanted Toni Kroos sent off for foul that caused issue
Pedri will miss the rest of the tournament
Pedri will miss the rest of the tournament / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/GettyImages
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Spain boss Luis de la Fuente claims Toni Kroos should have received a red card for a foul on Pedri that will cause him to miss the rest of Euro 2024.

La Roja beat tournament hosts Germany 2-1 after extra-time in a pulsating quarter-final on Friday evening, and they will take on France on Tuesday for a place in next weekend's final.

But Spain will have to soldier on without Barcelona midfielder Pedri, who was withdrawn only eight minutes into Friday's victory with a knee sprain.

The 21-year-old picked up the problem following a heavy challenge from Kroos minutes prior. Though Pedri tried to continue, he quickly went down again in pain and had to be withdrawn.


Toni Kroos, Anthony Taylor
Kroos avoided a booking for this foul / James Baylis - AMA/GettyImages

The Spanish FA later confirmed the midfielder would miss the rest of their Euro 2024 campaign, while Mundo Deportivo report Barca fear he will miss the beginning of pre-season due to the injury.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, De la Fuente said Kroos should have been sent off for the foul, and has backed Pedri to continue making an impact in the Spain camp even without playing.

"I think it was a red card," De la Fuente began. "Whether he is on the pitch or off, Pedri will continue to contribute. They are games that are like that, when you are playing so much, at this point, you have to use your whole squad.

"Any of the 26 players are ready. Everyone has their role at the right time. I'm very proud of these players. Tomorrow we are going to recover, and we are going to try to have the largest number of players."

While Pedri's on-field exploits at Euro 2024 are over, Toni Kroos officially retired from football after Germany's exit from the competition.

The 34-year-old confirmed he would hang up his boots at the conclusion of Germany's run on home soil, bringing down the curtain on a magnificent playing career.


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