Ismael Kone stretchered off with suspected broken leg as Qatar's Madibo sees red

Canada midfielder Ismael Kone was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg during his country’s World Cup group-stage match against Qatar, with the player who committed the foul, Assim Madibo, receiving a straight red card for the challenge.

Kone was visibly in severe pain as medical staff attended to him on the pitch. He was given oxygen to help manage the pain before being carried off on a stretcher, waving to fans as he left the field.

Canada’s assistant manager left no ambiguity about the severity of the injury, telling the fourth official: “His leg’s hanging off. His leg is broken. His leg is broken, man.”

The incident sparked immediate anger among Canada’s players, who confronted Qatar’s squad following the challenge. Madibo himself appeared visibly distressed after being shown the red card.

Substitute Nathan Saliba entered the field to replace Kone and made an immediate impact, converting an exquisite free-kick within minutes of coming on.

The incident cast a shadow over the fixture, with the focus shifting firmly from the result to the wellbeing of the 23-year-old midfielder.