The FIFA virus hits Barça at the worst possible time.

BarcelonaFive minutes before halftime in the match between the Netherlands and Spain, Pau Cubarsí sat down and asked to be substituted. While waiting for the first reports, it appeared, judging by his gestures, that the 18-year-old Barça center back was suffering discomfort in his right ankle. He was replaced by the equally young (19-year-old) Dean Huijsen, a center back for English club Bournemouth. Despite being born in Amsterdam, he chose to play for Spain because he grew up in Andalusia. This Thursday, he made his debut for the Spanish national team.

Cubarsí hurt himself in a dispute with former Barça player Memphis Depay and, at first, continued playing. However, he noticed the pain and decided to say enough. In the 41st minute, he asked to be substituted. According to initial observations on the pitch by the Spanish national team's medical team, the Estanyol defender could suffer a slight sprain in his right ankle. For the time being, he will remain in the Spanish national team squad.

The FIFA virus has hit Barça at the worst point of the season, just after Hansi Flick has ruled out Marc Casadó for almost the remainder of the season. Iñigo Martínez, with discomfort in his right knee, decided to stay in Barcelona and not travel with Spain, who was playing the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals in Rotterdam this Thursday. The return leg will be played this Sunday at Mestalla (Valencia) at 8:45 p.m.

We will have to monitor the extent of the discomfort in the right ankle of Cubarsí, Barça's starting centre-back. Next Thursday, the Blaugranas will have to play against Osasuna, at 9 p.m., in the match postponed due to the death of Dr. Carles Miñarro. The Blaugranas did not want to play the match that day because up to six first-team players would arrive practically without rest.

These are Araujo, who should surely be the replacement for the injured Cubarsí if he is ultimately needed, as well as Raphinha, Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre, Fermín López and Héctor Fort, the latter four called up with Spain Under-21. The cases of Araujo and Raphinha are of particular concern, as Uruguay will play in Bolivia on Tuesday night, while Brazil will visit Argentina on Tuesday night.

Spain equalizes in the final minutes

The Spanish team, with the presence – apart from Pau Cubarsí – of the Barça players Lamine Yamal (66'), Pedri (66') and Dani Olmo (24'), ended up drawing (2-2) the match against the Netherlands, led by Barça player Frenkie de Jong (74'). Nico Williams opened the scoring after a great combination between Lamine Yamal and Pedri, Gakpo scored the equalizer for the Dutch and, just after the break, Tijjani Reijnders put the home side ahead. A goal from Mikel Merino in the 93rd minute gave Luis de la Fuente's team a draw that keeps everything open for the return leg.