Canada celebrated its first-ever World Cup victory on Thursday, but the landmark result was overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismael Kone during the team’s 6-0 win over Qatar.
Disturbing scenes unfolded at BC Place in Vancouver when Kone, one of Canada’s key players, was forced to leave the Group B match after suffering what appeared to be a broken leg.
The injury occurred in the 51st minute after a reckless challenge from behind by Qatar’s Assim Madibo. Kone immediately collapsed to the turf, clutching his left leg in obvious agony.
Medical staff rushed onto the field, and Kone was eventually stretchered off four minutes later, in the 55th minute, dealing a major blow to Jesse Marsch’s side despite the lopsided scoreline.
The tackle sparked furious reactions from the Canadian bench and players on the field, with tempers flaring as Kone remained down receiving treatment.
At one point, defender Richie Laryea had to be restrained by a Qatari player as he shouted angrily in Madibo’s direction, underscoring the emotion and tension surrounding the incident.
Canada star Ismael Kone suffered a horror injury during the Group B clash against Qatar
His concerned teammates quickly surrounded him as medical staff rushed onto the field
The midfielder was wheeled off the field on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen mask
Meanwhile, Kone’s stunned and concerned teammates quickly surrounded him as medical staff rushed onto the field with the stretcher not far behind.
Kone’s close friend Jonathan David in particular looked to be in distress as he watched on in shock.
An emotional Luc de Fougerolles had to be consoled by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau as the 20-year-old defender burst into tears on the field.
After trainers put an air cast on his left leg, Kone was wheeled off the field on a stretcher, wearing an oxygen mask.
The 24-year-old put on a brave front, however, as he waved to the Vancouver crowd, who chanted his name.
The injury sparked immediate fears and fury from the Canadian bench as head coach Jesse Marsch was captured looking incredulous when Madibo was initially assessed only a yellow for his reckless challenge.
Meanwhile, one of Marsch’s assistants was caught arguing with the fourth official as he shouted: ‘His leg is hanging off.’
Madibo’s yellow was later upgraded to a red following a VAR check. The Qatari was captured looking devastated for his part in Kone’s injury as he stood with his hands on his head surveying the scene in clear upset.
Assim Madibo was devastated for his role in the injury as he stood with his hands on his head
The 24-year-old put on a brave front as he waved to the crowd, who chanted his name
Nathan Saliba dedicated his goal to Kone after socring Canda’s fourth minutes after the injury
An emotional Luc de Fougerolles had to be consoled by goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau
The distraught 29-year-old left the field in the 53rd minute and was seen heading down the tunnel in tears.
The sending off left Qatar down to nine men after Homam Ahmed’s red card in the first half.
Canada was already 3-0 up at the time thanks to an opening strike from Cyle Larin and a brace from David in the first half.
The Canadians extend their lead just minutes later thanks to Nathan Saliba, who was substituted on in Kone’s place.
Saliba scored Canada’s fourth from a free kick in the 64th minute just minutes after the game restarted.
In emotional scenes, the Anderlecht midfielder dedicated his goal to Kone. He ran to the bench where he was handed a ‘KONE 8’ jersey. He then returned to the field and held it up to the crowd, as fans cheered.
Tensions also ran high after the final whistle with another verbal spat breaking out between players and staff of both sides.
Jacob Shaffelburg helped add a fifth, while David rounded off his hattrick with Canada’s sixth, sealing the historic 6-0 victory.
Kone salutes the crowd as they chant his name while he is being wheeled off the field
Qatar’s Mohamed Manai has head in hands while Kone lays on the ground in pain
Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a rebound in the 16th minute to open the scoring. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada punched away David’s volley but it fell to Larin, who pointed to his ears in celebration as the red-clad crowd roared.
David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley in the 29th, for his first goal in the run of play in more than a year.
Ahmed was sent off with a red card in the 33rd. The official initially pointed to the penalty spot, but after video review Canada was given a free kick just outside the box and the initial yellow card handed to Ahmed was changed to red.
Canada made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when David scored in a scramble in front of the net off a shot that caromed off the crossbar. Qatari players stood with their hands on their hips in frustration while Canada celebrated.
Saliba scored on a free kick in the 64th to make it 4-0. Mohamed Manai deflected a shot from Shaffelburg past his goalkeeper for an own goal in the 75th.
David completed the hat trick in stoppage time, joining Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the only players with three goals in a match in this World Cup.
However, with the dizzying highs of the triumph came the most crushing of emotional lows.
The injury will come as a major blow to Canada with Kone emerging as one of the standout players of Marsch’s side.
Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch protests to the fourth official after the foul on Kone
Marsch, an Amnerican, wildly celebrated Canada’s historic 6-0 victory at fulltime
The playmaker was arguably Canada’s best player in their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina and would have been one of the team’s key men throughout their first World Cup campaign on home soil. Now it appears his tournament is over.
Canada will now turn their attention to their meeting with Switzerland back in Vancouver in six days’ time.
It will be a pivotal clash in Group B, deciding who tops the group with both Canada and Switzerland currently on four points each.
A draw would be enough for Canada to top the group and stay on home soil for a first World Cup knockout clash.
