Horror injury mars huge win for Canada while co-hosts Mexico seal progresspublished at 06:56 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesA serious leg injury to Canada’s former Watford midfielder Ismael Kone overshadowed what should have been a joyous occasion for the co-hosts in Vancouver overnight as they ran out 6-0 winners over Qatar.
Manager Jesse Marsch was moved to tears after the incident, which happened shortly after half-time, when the 24-year-old Sassoulo player was caught late by Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
Kone looked anguished and in shock, with his leg visibly broken. His distraught team-mates rushed to him as the referee halted play so the medical staff could come on, while Madibo had his hands on his head.
Despite suffering an injury that has ended his World Cup, the Canadian lifted his thumb to the home crowd as he was taken off on a stretcher.
Canada had led 3-0 before the incident and went on to add a further three goals as they effectively sealed their progress from Group A.
Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico became the first side to officially qualify for the knockout stages, beating South Korea 1-0 to move to six points in Group A.
