Canada’s first-ever World Cup victory was marred by heartbreak on Thursday after midfielder Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg in a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch barely able to celebrate what should have been a landmark night for Canadian football.
Kone, 24, was carried off on a stretcher at BC Place in Vancouver during Canada’s stunning 6-0 demolition of Qatar, after Assim Madibo caught him from behind in the 54th minute. Marsch said the sound of the impact was audible from the dugout.
“It happened right in front of the bench. We could all hear it,” said Marsch, who recognised the severity immediately, having witnessed Canada’s Tajon Buchanan break his tibia in training during the 2024 Copa America. “I knew right away it was similar to when Tajon got hurt in training. Everyone could hear the bones snap.”
The challenge provoked a furious response from Canada’s players and staff, with some players confronting their opponents and Marsch audibly demanding why the tackle had not drawn an immediate red card. The original yellow card was subsequently upgraded.
Marsch acknowledged that Qatar’s Madibo visited the Canada dressing room to apologise, a gesture he appreciated, though he was less forgiving of the reaction from the Qatar bench.
“I don’t fault him for that,” said Marsch. “But I don’t understand a 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.”
Kone was taken to hospital ahead of surgery, his absence a significant blow to a Canada side that moved to the top of Group B with four points from two matches and well placed to reach the knockout stage of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Substitute Nathan Saliba, who came on for Kone, scored shortly afterwards to make it 4-0, celebrating by holding Kone’s number eight shirt aloft before kissing it and making the sign of the cross.
Hat-trick hero Jonathan David admitted the injury made it almost impossible to maintain focus. “I think we just wanted the game to end so we could all be together,” he said.
Marsch paid tribute to the Ivory Coast-born Sassuolo midfielder, warning his absence would be felt keenly. “Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience. Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. He’s a bit of an X factor for us, and we’ll miss him. But I think we have good players who can step in.”
