SouthernWorldwide.com – Canada’s dominant 6-0 victory over Qatar in their second FIFA World Cup match on Thursday afternoon was marred by a horrific injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné.
Koné was stretchered off the field in the second half following a brutal tackle from Qatar’s Assim Madibo. The tackle, which came from behind, immediately drew the ire of the Canadian players and coaching staff on the sidelines, with it being evident that Koné had sustained a serious injury.
As players from both teams gathered around Koné, replays clearly showed the severity of Madibo’s challenge. The Canadian’s left leg was seen bent at a disturbing angle, an image not for the faint of heart.
Koné appeared to be in shock immediately after the incident, initially clutching his leg before putting his hands to his head in distress.
Following a VAR review, the referees upgraded Madibo’s foul to a red card. This was the second red card for Qatar in the match, with Homan Ahmed having been sent off in the 33rd minute.
Madibo, however, was visibly distressed, holding his head in his hands as he witnessed the extent of Koné’s injury. Players, coaches, and medical staff quickly surrounded the 24-year-old on the pitch.
The home crowd at BC Place in Vancouver responded with a round of applause as Koné was taken off the field on a stretcher. Given the nature of the injury, it is highly probable that his World Cup campaign for Canada has come to an premature end.
Nathan Saliba was substituted in for Koné in the 57th minute and went on to score just seven minutes later. In a touching tribute, he raised Koné’s jersey in celebration, much to the roar of the fans, extending Canada’s lead to 4-0.
Qatar’s woes were compounded in the 75th minute when Mohammed Manai scored an own goal, adding to their difficulties. However, Canada’s dominant performance had been significantly aided by their man-advantage from the first half.
Jonathan David was the star of the show offensively, netting a hat-trick. He scored in the 29th minute and again in first-half stoppage time. He completed his treble in the 92nd minute, capping off a memorable afternoon aside from the unfortunate injury to Koné.
Cyle Larin opened the scoring for Canada in the 16th minute, setting the tone for the resounding victory.
Following a draw in their opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, this emphatic 6-0 win marked Canada’s first-ever victory at the FIFA World Cup. The impressive performance also secured them the top spot in Group B.
Switzerland also secured four points with their 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Both Canada and Switzerland will now play to determine the winner of the group on June 24.
