Kone fractures tibia and fibula as Canada rout Qatar 6-0 in first-ever World Cup win

Ismael Kone will undergo surgery after fracturing both his tibia and fibula during Canada’s 6-0 World Cup group-stage victory over Qatar in Vancouver, a result that marked the country’s first-ever win at a FIFA World Cup. The Sassuolo midfielder was stretchered off in the 53rd minute following a challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo, who was shown a red card as the severity of the injury became apparent to players and supporters alike.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch came onto the pitch to embrace Kone before he was carried from the field, waving to acknowledge the home crowd’s support while receiving oxygen. Marsch confirmed after the match that Madibo had visited Kone in the dressing room to apologise, and that the midfielder was subsequently taken to hospital accompanied by his mother.

“Ismael is such a great kid,” Marsch said. “He’s so imperfect, but that’s why you love him. He can do great things and the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies a lot of what the team is. It’s a huge loss for us. He’ll be fine, we’ll get him good doctors. He’s got a big future and he’s a big part of everything we’ll do.”

The incident came with Qatar already reduced to ten men following Homam Ahmed’s first-half dismissal. Canada continued to press and eventually ran out emphatic winners, with Jonathan David completing a hat-trick and Nathan Saliba marking his fourth-goal celebration by holding up a shirt bearing Kone’s name and number.

David was forthright in his criticism of the challenge that ended his teammate’s tournament. “If there’s a play where you cannot win the ball, there’s no point,” he said. “It’s just to hurt people.”

Canada captain Stephen Eustaquio echoed the sense of loss felt across the squad. “I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn’t right. We’re going to miss him — he has that X-factor that our team really needs.”

Kone, who has earned 42 caps for Canada since his international debut in 2022, will play no further part in the tournament. Canada face Switzerland in their final group game on Wednesday, with a point for either side enough to secure a place in the knockout stage.