The incident occurred in the 35th minute of the match. Williams, who had been in sensational form recently with two goals and an assist in his previous outing, suddenly pulled up with what appeared to be a serious muscular problem. The distress was visible as he immediately signaled to the bench. In a heartbreaking moment captured by pitchside microphones and cameras, a tearful Williams could be heard repeating the words it can’t be, it can’t be as he was consoled by teammates.
He was eventually replaced by his brother, Inaki Williams, and headed straight down the tunnel for immediate medical attention. The timing of the setback is particularly cruel for the Spanish international, who has dealt with recurring fitness issues throughout the 2025-26 season, including groin problems and pubalgia that sidelined him for several weeks in the spring.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente now faces a nervous wait for the official medical report. Williams has established himself as an indispensable part of the national team’s attack, famously scoring in the Euro 2024 final. His explosive pace and creativity are considered vital to Spain's chances of success in the upcoming World Cup.
If the injury is confirmed as a Grade 1 strain, he could potentially recover in time for the opening group matches. However, a more severe Grade 2 or 3 tear would almost certainly rule him out of the tournament, forcing Spain to look for alternatives on the left wing.
Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish Football Federation are expected to release a detailed assessment following scans scheduled for Monday. For now, the football world holds its breath for one of the game's brightest young talents as he faces a race against time to fulfill his World Cup dreams.