Canada’s first-ever win at a World Cup came at a brutal cost on Thursday when star midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a horrific injury during the co-hosts’ 6-0 victory – with his stunned coach heard shouting: ‘His leg is hanging off.’
There were distressing scenes during the Vancouver contest when Kone was forced off the field with a gruesome injury in a devastating blow to Jesse Marsch’s side.
In the 51st minute, the Canadian star received the ball in the opposition half of the field and looked to pass to a team-mate as Assim Madibo approached. The Qatari player swept his left leg from behind, causing the serious injury.
Kone immediately went to the ground clutching his leg in agony following a dangerous challenge from behind by Assim Madibo in the 51st minute.
As Kone writhed on the turf, one of Marsch’s assistant coaches rushed to a fourth official and shouted: ‘His leg is hanging off.’
Marsch later told reporters that he ‘could hear the bone snap,’ when asked about Kone’s injury in his press conference – moments after coming to blows with Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui at the final whistle.
‘Your heart goes out to him. Everybody’s shaken for him,’ he said before adding that he would be going straight to the hospital to be with his player.
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
Canada’s coaches and players were left incensed by the tackle, leading to a fight breaking out on the benches, while Kone remained on the ground in pain.
Defender Richie Laryea had to be held back by a Qatari player as he screamed at Madibo in fury.
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, while 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.
Defender Moise Bombito posted a selfie with Kone from his hospital bed after the game, with the midfielder being prepared for surgery.
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.
Assim Madibo was devastated for his role in the injury as he stood with his hands on his head
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
Canada star Moise Bombito posted a selfie with Kone from his hospital bed after the game
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.
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.
‘Everybody was crushed when it happened, but we had to find a way to stay focused,’ Marsch said following the game.
‘We knew that Ismaël wanted us to finish the job. There’s a lot of thoughts that go through our heads right now. We’re all thinking about him, but we’re all very proud of what we are. That’s what I would say more than anything is we’re very proud of who we are, and I think that was all on showcase today.’
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
Tensions also ran high after the final whistle with another verbal spat breaking out between players and staff of both sides.
Marsch could be seen arguing with Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui, who appeared to say something to the Canada boss during their postgame handshake.
While it is unclear what Lopetegui said, it sparked a furious response from Marsch, who stormed away, wildly gesticulating.
Marsch and his players then gathered in a circle in the middle of the field, bowing their heads and honoring Kone.
‘Let me be clear, the player apologized to Ismael, like came into the dressing room and apologized to him, and Ismaël told the team or let the team know that that had happened,’ Marsch said.
‘So, I don’t think that he meant such a gruesome tackle or a gruesome situation. I don’t fault him for that, but I don’t understand the reaction from their entire bench to try to start a fight about it being a red card when a clear foul just happened that broke a player’s leg. So, strange behavior, but in the end, we were more focused on Ismael.’
Jacob Shaffelburg helped add a fifth, while David rounded off his hattrick with Canada’s sixth, sealing the historic 6-0 victory.
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.
Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch protests to the fourth official after the foul on Kone
Marsch, an American, wildly celebrated Canada’s historic 6-0 victory at fulltime
Following the game, Marsch and his players gather in a circle in the middle of the field
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.
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.
