Lucas Hernández successfully operated in Innsbruck

Bayern Munich’s French defender Lucas Hernández underwent surgery in Innsbruck on Thursday after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture in the World Cup opener against Australia. FC Bayern announced this late Thursday evening.

The surgery performed by Professor Christian Fink was successful, and Hernández will begin his rehabilitation in Munich in the next few days, the statement said.

Hernández will probably be out until the end of the season. For defending champions France, the injury to the 2018 world champion is a severe blow.

National coach Didier Deschamps already has to do without goalscorer Karim Benzema. Also missing are Paul Pogba, Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, N’Golo Kanté and Presnel Kimpembe.