Canada’s big 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar was overshadowed by a horrific incident. During the match, Canada midfielder Ismael Koné was caught in a serious tackle and later found to have broken his leg — effectively ending his World Cup.
The incident happened in the 52nd minute of the Group B match in Vancouver. Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo tackled the back of Koné’s left leg in a challenge for the ball, and the severity of the situation became clear almost immediately.
Broadcasters did not show a close replay of the tackle. But a pitchside microphone caught a player saying, “His leg is hanging.”
After the injury, players from both teams formed a human shield around Koné so the scene would not be visible to spectators. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, and the Canada midfielder waved to the crowd as he was carried off on a stretcher.
The referee showed Assim Madibo a straight red card. Qatar had already been reduced to nine men after Homam Ahmed was sent off in the first half. After the match, Canada coach Jesse Marsch said the incident happened right in front of their bench. “It happened right in front of us. We all heard the sound. We knew immediately it was serious. Everyone heard the bone break,” he said.
Marsch added, “Ismael is a very important part of our team. Losing him to an injury like this is a big blow for us. He has played superbly in the last two matches.”
Hat-trick scorer Jonathan David also criticised Madibo’s tackle. “When there’s no chance of winning the ball, there’s no need for a tackle like that. It only looks intended to hurt the opponent,” David said. Stephen Eustáquio, the Canada midfielder closest to the incident, said, “I looked at his leg and knew something terrible had happened. I just wanted the medical staff on the pitch as fast as possible.”
He added, “Qatar’s players tried to protect their teammate, and we protected ours. That’s normal. But there can be no debate that it was a straight red. He effectively broke Koné’s leg. There is no justification for calling it a yellow.”
For all of Canada’s big win, Ismael Koné’s serious injury has now become a major worry for the team.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report