Ezequiel Lavezzi Injury: Updates on Argentina Forward's Arm and Return

Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi will miss the 2016 Copa America final after fracturing his arm in a nasty touchline fall during the Albiceleste's 4-0 dismantling of hosts USA in Tuesday's first semi-final, per ESPN FC.

Continue for updates.

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Lavezzi Absence Tempered by Squad Depth

Wednesday, June 22

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward scored the third-minute opener for Argentina in Houston before taking a tumble over advertising hoardings in the second half, per Complex Sports: 

Argentina will now be without Lavezzi, who currently plays for Chinese club Hebei China Fortune, when they face either Chile or Colombia in the Copa final.

Per AS, Lavezzi, 31, "will undergo surgery on his arm in the next few days." ESPN FC's report said there is no specific timetable yet for his return to action.

He will be a big miss for Argentina in the final, as he proved against the USA just how effective he can be working with Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi in attack.

Lavezzi's two appearances at the 2016 Copa have returned two goals—the first coming against Bolivia in the group stage—and he would undoubtedly have been in the running for a starting spot in the final.

However, Argentina boss Gerardo Martino has plenty of other options to call upon, given the immense depth of his side's attacking unit.

Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela or Javier Pastore could all come in to play alongside Messi and Higuain in the front three for the final, while Angel Di Maria is the most likely option, assuming he is fully fit again after picking up an injury earlier in the tournament.