Canada beats Qatar 6-0 at World Cup after Koné suffers serious injury

Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 in its second match of the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, but the result was overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné.

Koné was stretchered off the field after a tackle from behind by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the second half. The Canadian players and coaches reacted immediately with visible anger. Replays showed Koné’s left leg bent at an unnatural angle.

Koné appeared in shock, clutching his leg before placing his hands on his head. After a VAR review, the referee upgraded the foul to a red card for Madibo. It was Qatar’s second red card of the match after Homan Ahmed was sent off in the 33rd minute.

Madibo held his head in distress as medical staff and teammates gathered around the 24-year-old. Fans at BC Place in Vancouver applauded as Koné left the pitch. The injury is expected to end his World Cup participation.

Nathan Saliba replaced Koné in the 57th minute and scored seven minutes later. He celebrated by holding up Koné’s jersey, drawing loud cheers as the score reached 4-0. Mohammed Manai scored an own goal in the 75th minute.

Jonathan David scored a hat trick for Canada, with goals in the 29th minute, first-half stoppage time and the 92nd minute. Cyle Larin opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

The win was Canada’s first in a World Cup and moved the team to the top of Group B after it had drawn its opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday also left both teams with four points ahead of their final group match on June 24.