Netherlands forward Lieke Martens to miss rest of Euro 2022 with foot injury

The Netherlands forward Lieke Martens has been ruled out of Women’s Euro 2022 with a foot problem, in the latest injury blow to hit the defending champions.

The 29-year-old, who signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona earlier this summer, suffered the injury during Sunday’s Group C win over Switzerland. The 4-1 victory in Sheffield set up a quarter-final against France on Saturday.

A statement on the Dutch FA’s official website read: “After investigation, it turned out that Lieke Martens can no longer take [part in] this European Championship. Martens will leave the training camp on Tuesday evening. No replacement can be called [up].”

The news came as a fresh setback to the Netherlands head coach, Mark Parsons, whose tournament plans have been repeatedly disrupted by Covid-19 and injury.

“This is terrible news for Lieke and for us,” Parsons said. “She has fully committed herself to the team during this tournament. It is very unfortunate that her European Championship has to end like this.”

The Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema has not played since the Netherlands’ opening draw with Sweden after testing positive for Covid. The midfielder Jackie Groenen missed the subsequent 3-2 win over Portugal as she self-isolated and the defender Aniek Nouwen sat out that game with an ankle injury.

The Netherlands have also lost their first-choice goalkeeper and captain, Sari van Veenendaal, due to a shoulder problem suffered against Sweden. Her understudy, 22-year-old Daphne van Domselaar, is expected to continue in goal for Saturday’s game at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.