Gago ruptures ACL in Argentina draw
Veteran Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago suffered heartache on Friday's (AEDT) after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Argentina's hopes of booking a ticket to Russia for next year's World Cup was dealt a blow after a goalless draw at home to Peru in Buenos Aires and its woes were compounded by a serious knee injury to Gago.
Former Real Madrid man Gago – now playing for boyhood club Boca Juniors in Argentina – ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral internal ligament in his right knee at La Bombonera, Argentina confirmed post-match.
Gago, who was back in the national team for the first time since 2015, was a 60th-minute substitute but the 31-year-old only lasted six minutes as his international return was cruelly cut short in front of his club supporters.
Argentina's hopes of FIFA World Cup qualification remain in the balance after it dropped out of the play-off spot, down to sixth after Chile's victory heading into next week's final matchday – a trip to Ecuador.
