Bayern Munichs Luis Diaz went from hero to villain scoring a brace before a reckless tackle on PSGs Achraf Hakimi earned him a red card Hakimi was forced off in tears with a serious ankle injury raising major concerns ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations .
The Incident That Overshadowed a Classic
Paris Saint-Germains Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich on Tuesday was marred by a moment of horror in first-half stoppage time as Bayerns two-goal hero Luis Diaz delivered a reckless challenge on PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi The tackle was so severe that some broadcasters reportedly refused to show the replay in its entirety highlighting the gruesome nature of the incident that saw the Moroccan international leave the pitch in agony and tears .
Diaz From Hero to Villain in One Half
The match a high-stakes group stage fixture at the Parc des Princes had been dominated by the Colombian winger Luis Diaz up until that point Formerly of Liverpool Diaz was in sensational form netting a quick-fire brace to give the German giants a commanding 2-0 lead His first goal came in the 4th minute followed by his second just after the half-hour mark .
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However his momentum was brutally halted just before the break As Hakimi drove forward with the ball Diaz slid in late from behind catching the Moroccan defenders ankle with a dangerously high and untimed challenge The impact was immediate and Hakimi crumpled to the turf clearly in extreme pain .
VAR Intervention Upgrades Card to Red
Italian referee Maurizio Mariani initially brandished a yellow card for the foul However the severity of the tackle particularly the contact point and the potential for a career-threatening injury prompted a VAR review After being called to the pitchside monitor the referee overturned his original decision issuing a straight red card for serious foul play Diaz became only the second player in Champions League history to score a brace and be sent off in the same match after Antoine Griezmann in 2021 .
The sight of the tackle prompted widespread condemnation from pundits and fans alike many of whom labelled it as one of the most reckless challenges witnessed on a European stage this season .
Hakimis Emotional Exit and Injury Fears
The most heartbreaking scene of the night was the sight of Achraf Hakimi being helped off the field by medical staff and teammates Unable to put any weight on his left foot the 27-year-old was visibly distraught with tears streaming down his face as he exited the pitch It was a truly emotional moment for the defender who was also celebrating his birthday on the day of the match .
The forced substitution compounded a nightmare first half for Paris Saint-Germain who had already seen their Ballon dOr winner Ousmane Dembélé exit the game with a separate injury midway through the half Hakimi was replaced by Senny Mayulu drastically weakening PSGs attacking and defensive structure on the right flank Despite playing against 10 men for the entire second half PSG could only manage a consolation goal from João Neves with Bayern Munich holding on for a 2-1 victory .
The AFCON Nightmare for Morocco
The immediate and overwhelming concern for Hakimis injury extends far beyond the Parisian club The full-back is the star defender and captain for the Moroccan national team the Atlas Lions The timing of the injury could not be worse as Morocco is set to host the Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in just over a month .
Hakimi is seen as an indispensable component of the Moroccan side especially on home soil where the team has ambitions of winning the title for the first time since 1988 Initial fears among fans and Moroccan football officials are that the injury is severe enough to rule him out of the continental tournament a devastating blow to the nations hopes The nature of the tackle—a high late scissor-like motion to the ankle—has sparked fears of ligament damage or a fracture similar to a metatarsal fracture he suffered earlier in his career which kept him out for over two months .
Looking Ahead
The focus now shifts to the full medical assessment of Hakimis ankle PSG and the Moroccan national team will be anxiously awaiting the results to determine the extent of the damage and his potential recovery timeline For Luis Diaz his two goals will be quickly overshadowed by the infamy of the tackle which will see him suspended for Bayerns next Champions League fixture The night that started with brilliance ended in disaster leaving the football world with a serious injury to one of its top talents .
Dynamic Disclaimer Requirement
Disclaimer The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources concerning a recent Champions League match Readers should cross-check updates and official injury statuses from official news outlets and the respective football clubs .