The hopes of a nation were dealt a blow when Luis Montes, a member of Mexico's World Cup soccer team, fractured his leg in a friendly match against Ecuador on Saturday afternoon.

The injury came minutes after Montes scored an incredible goal in the World Cup friendly match, giving the Mexican team a two-goal lead.

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Montes suffered a broken tibia and fibula on his right leg after a collision with Ecuador's Segundo Castillo and will be forced to sit out of the World Cup as a result.

Eyewitnesses say that Montes' teammates were in tears as the midfielder was carried off the field on a stretcher.

The Ecuadorian opponent didn't walk away unscathed and was also transported to the hospital for treatment of a possible injury to his right knee.

The damage marks a debilitating blow to Mexico's team as 28-year-old Montes had established himself as one of the team's top scorers.

The athlete was regarded as a key offensive threat going into the World Cup and Mexico's team will have to scramble to fill his spot as his horrific injury won't allow him to return to the field anytime soon.

Mexican Coach Miguel Herrera released a statement to FOX News Latino soon after, stating that the team would need to have a long talk in order to help keep the players focused after the devastating turn of events.

"We prayed for him and now we're going to hope that he recuperates as soon as possible," Herrera said through a translator "We're going to have a long talk tomorrow to keep the players focused."

Montes wasn't the only squad member to be hospitalized with an injury, team captain Rafa Marquez was also taken to the hospital during the match after a strong blow to his right foot.

Mexico will be playing its first official World Cup match against Cameroon on June 13.

TagsLuis Montes, Mexico, Soccer, injury, Ecuador, Segundo Castillo