Giulia Gwinn injured: What's next for the DFB captain

Concerns for Giulia Gwinn: The captain of the German women's soccer team suffered a knee injury in the opening match of the European Championship against Poland. Arguably the biggest star of the German national team had to be led off the field in tears and supported by coaches in the first half in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

On Saturday, there will be more certainty regarding the severity of Gwinn's injury. According to national coach Christian Wück, the 26-year-old will undergo an MRI scan at around 10 a.m., he said at the press conference.

Gwinn has already battled back from cruciate ligament tears twice in her career. Once it was her left knee, once her right. This time, after a risky tackle on Poland's top scorer Ewa Pajor in her own penalty area, it appeared that her left knee was again affected. On the one hand, Gwinn prevented the goal, but on the other, the severity of the injury remains unknown, Wück said in an ARD interview after the match.

At least Gwinn's teammates managed to make it through the difficult final phase of the first half without conceding a goal after the shock injury in the 36th minute. The German women showed great motivation in the second half, clearly playing for Gwinn, who was well replaced by Carlotta Wamser at right back. A stunning goal from Jule Brand (52nd minute) and a header from Lea Schüller (66th minute) secured the 2-0 final score and the lead in Group C.

“We’re all behind her, we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for her,” said winger Klara Bühl, who played a strong game after Gwinn’s injury, after the game.

Wück described the first moments after the final whistle in the dressing room: "After our circle, we all went back to the dressing room and hugged Giulia." He described the opening victory as "a bitter win" in light of his key player's injury.