\n<\/p>\n
It should have been a moment of pure joy.<\/b><\/p>\n
Canada, 40 years after playing in their first World Cup, secured their first-ever win at the tournament in emphatic fashion, thrashing Qatar 6-0 in front of a packed and loud Vancouver Stadium.<\/p>\n
They are almost certain of a place in the last 32. But celebrations were overshadowed by a dreadful injury to Ismael Kone.<\/p>\n
The incident happened eight minutes into the second half, with Canada leading 3-0. Their former Watford midfielder Kone, shortly after receiving the ball, was caught late and badly by Assim Madibo as he challenged for possession.<\/p>\n
Kone’s reaction, and that of the players around him, said it all.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old Sassuolo midfielder 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.<\/p>\n
A scuffle broke out between the two teams as frustration and anger over what had happened bubbled over.<\/p>\n
Kone, though, despite suffering an injury that has ended his World Cup, lifted his thumb to the crowd as he was taken off on a stretcher.<\/p>\n
“You saw that he was waving to the crowd and almost making everyone at ease,” boss Jesse Marsch said after the game.<\/p>\n
“It is a statement about Ismael, but also this is an incredible team. I have been telling people for years about the character of this group. <\/p>\n
“You got see how everyone was crushed but we had to find a way to stay focus.”<\/p>\n
Focus they did – as from then on, the crowd and the players were united as Canada pushed on to score three further goals.<\/p>\n
During the second-half hydration break, Marsch was in tears. Nathan Saliba – who had replaced Kone – held up his team-mate\u2019s shirt after he scored his side’s fourth. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe will be back stronger than ever and he will continue to have a great career,\u201d said Marsch of Kobe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said at the water break that he would want us to finish this game – and that is what the guys did.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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