That sight would have left City supporters as anxious as England fans, given the Premier League champions host the Gunners in a potentially pivotal title clash next Sunday. And in his post-match interview with Channel 4, Southgate was pressed on the condition of the 33-year-old.
“We don’t know, he’s feeling something,” he said. “He’s not a player who’s been injured often and he’s not quite certain what it is. So we just have to assess it over the next couple of days.”
The Three Lions take on Belgium on Tuesday, with Walker’s place almost certainly in jeopardy. And his club are also set for a frenzied finish to the season as they compete for trophies on three fronts.
Walker’s knock did not appear the result of any collision, but the physicality of the Brazilians was a feature over the 90 minutes. A number of fouls appeared to go unpunished before the game was eventually won by Endrick’s 80th minute strike.
But Southgate refused to dwell on the apparent leniency from officials, instead opting to focus on the positives from his own side’s display. “It was a classic game against a South American team,” he said.
“I think in a qualifier or a competition match there are more cards given and maybe that affects the flow of the game as well. But we knew to expect that, and I thought we played through that intense pressure well. We played from the back really well so I’m not unhappy with a lot of that performance.”
Walker’s misfortune did give Southgate the opportunity to hand a first international cap to Konsa, 26. The Aston Villa defender joined Anthony Gordon in making his international debut, with Kobbie Mainoo also later coming on for his England bow.
But it was Palmeiras forward Endrick who eventually stole the show with the winner. The 17-year-old became the youngest player to score an international goal at Wembley when he tapped home after Jordan Pickford had denied Vinicus Jnr.
