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Argentina international Cristian Romero injured in Tottenham's loss to Sunderland

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Argentina international Cristian Romero injured in Tottenham's loss to Sunderland
Sport

Sport

Argentina international Cristian Romero injured in Tottenham's loss to Sunderland

2026-04-13 01:26 Last Updated At:01:40

SUNDERLAND, England (AP) — Tottenham defender Cristian Romero left the field in tears following an injury in his team's 1-0 loss to Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Argentina international limped off after colliding with Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the second half at the Stadium of Light.

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Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, left, leaves the field after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, left, leaves the field after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, left, push Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, left, push Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero reacts after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero reacts after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, centre, looks on after pushing Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, right, into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, left, during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, centre, looks on after pushing Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, right, into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, left, during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

It was not immediately clear what the nature of the injury was, but the 27-year-old Romero was unable to play on and was visibly distressed as he made his way to the sideline. While he was able to leave the field unaided and did not require a stretcher, he was consoled by teammates as he walked away.

The timing of Romero’s injury will be a concern for Argentina ahead of the World Cup starting in June.

Kinsky was able to continue after having his head wrapped with a bandage.

New Spurs coach Roberto De Zerbi said it was “very bad” that Romero sustained an injury, but did not know the severity of it.

“We have to see in the next days. I hope for us it is not an important problem because he is a crucial player for us,” De Zerbi said. “We need him to finish the season and to achieve our goal.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, left, leaves the field after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, left, leaves the field after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, left, push Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, left, push Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero reacts after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero reacts after colliding with his team mate Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, centre, looks on after pushing Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, right, into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, left, during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey, centre, looks on after pushing Tottenham Hotspur's Cristian Romero, right, into Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, left, during the Premier League soccer match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur, in Sunderland, England, Sunday April 12, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

HOUSTON (AP) — Phil Garner, a three-time All-Star infielder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their first World Series appearance, has died. He was 76.

Garner's family issued a statement Sunday saying Garner had died Saturday after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Phil never lost his signature spark of life,” Garner's son, Ty, said in a statement. “He was so well known for or his love for baseball, which was with him until the end.”

Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics (1973-76), Pittsburgh Pirates (1977-81), Astros (1981-87), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987) and San Francisco Giants (1988).

He played 150 games and had an .800 OPS for Pittsburgh during the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship season. He batted .417 in the NL Championship Series sweep of Cincinnati and hit .500 (12 for 24) in the World Series as the Pirates rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Baltimore.

Garner made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

“Phil Garner was a fierce competitor, a respected leader, and a cherished part of the Pirates family,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said in a statement. “His contributions to the 1979 World Series championship team will forever be part of Pirates history. We always appreciated welcoming Phil back to Pittsburgh, and it was evident how deeply this city, this team, his teammates, and our fans meant to him.

“He will be remembered not only for the grit, passion, and heart he brought to the game, but also for the way he carried himself as a devoted family man and respected member of the baseball community.”

Garner hit .260 with 109 homers, 738 RBIs and 225 steals in 1,860 regular-season games while being versatile enough to make over 700 starts at both second base and third base.

Garner managed in the majors for 15 years, compiling a 985-1,054 record with Milwaukee (1992-99), Detroit (2000-02) and Houston (2004-07). He held the Brewers record for managerial wins until Craig Counsell surpassed him in 2022.

“He was a very highly respected and beloved individual who was known for his caring nature, wisdom and sense of humor," the Brewers said in a statement.

Garner over the Astros midway through the 2004 season after the firing of Jimy Williams and led them to a 48-26 record the rest of the way. They finished 92-70, beat Atlanta in the NL Division Series wasted a 3-2 lead over St. Louis in the NL Championship Series.

Garner got the Astros to the World Series the following year. They went 89-73 and beat Atlanta in the NLDS and St. Louis in the NLCS before the Chicago White Sox swept them.

Garner was a Tennessee native who starred at the University of Tennessee, which retired his No. 18 in 2009.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

FILE - Pirates Phil Garner dives for ball hit by Al Bumbry of Baltimore Orioles in fifth inning of third game of World Series, Oct. 12, 1979 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Pirates Phil Garner dives for ball hit by Al Bumbry of Baltimore Orioles in fifth inning of third game of World Series, Oct. 12, 1979 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Houston Astros' Phil Garner is greeted by Luis Pujols as he scores the winning run from third to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the National League West playoffs at Houston, Oct. 7, 1981. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith, File)

FILE - Houston Astros' Phil Garner is greeted by Luis Pujols as he scores the winning run from third to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1-0 in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the National League West playoffs at Houston, Oct. 7, 1981. (AP Photo/F. Carter Smith, File)

FILE - Tim Foli, left, and Phil Garner, the middle infield of the 1979 World Championship Pittsburgh Pirates team attend a pre-game ceremony remembering the team's accomplishment 40 years ago before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies in Pittsburgh, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

FILE - Tim Foli, left, and Phil Garner, the middle infield of the 1979 World Championship Pittsburgh Pirates team attend a pre-game ceremony remembering the team's accomplishment 40 years ago before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies in Pittsburgh, July 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

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