Ismaël Koné suffers horrifying leg injury in Canada’s 6-0 World Cup win
US men’s national soccer team begins World Cup run with big win
Dan Dakich analyzes the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s impressive 4-1 World Cup victory over Paraguay. He highlights the team’s pace and confidence and attributes this to the experience of many players at higher levels. This strong start puts the USA team in good position for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 matchup.
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Canada’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar in their second FIFA World Cup match would have been perfect on Thursday afternoon if not for Ismaël Koné’s devastating injury.
Koné was carted off the field in the second half following a brutal tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo, which sparked immediate displeasure from Canadian players and coaches. The fight came from behind and it was clear that Koné was in serious trouble.
As the players gathered around Koné, replays showed Madibo making a poor tackle on the Canadian. left leg bent from an angle not for the faint of heart.
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Canada’s Ismael Kone waves to the crowd after a foul by Qatar’s Assim Madibo during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 18, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)
Koné was in direct shock when the injury occurred, first grabbing his leg and then placing his hands on his head.
Following VAR review, the referees turned Madibo’s foul into a red card, and this was the second foul for Qatar, after Homan Ahmed’s foul in the 33rd minute.
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However, Madibo’s hands were above his head; Koné was clearly distressed after seeing what happened to him as players, coaches and medical staff surrounded the 24-year-old on the field.
Applause poured in from the stands at BC Place in Vancouver from Koné’s home country’s fans as he was led off the field. From the looks of the injury, it’s likely that his World Cup match in Canada was brought to an early end.
Canada’s Ismael Kone waves to the crowd after a foul by Qatar’s Assim Madibo during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia on June 18, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Nathan Saliba came on for Koné in the 57th minute and scored just seven minutes later. In celebration, he lifted Koné’s jersey to loud roars from the fans and the score increased to 4-0. Mohammed Manai scored an own goal in the 75th minute to add to Qatar’s injury woes, but Canada’s control began with the man advantage in the first half.
Jonathan David completed a hat-trick in this match, scoring in the 29th minute and entering stoppage time before the first half closed. He then scored again, this time in stoppage time in the 92nd minute, to cap off an entertaining afternoon barring Koné’s injury.
Cyle Larin for Canada got the party started with a goal in the 16th minute.
This 6-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a draw in their first match, was the country’s first ever World Cup victory, which earned them first place in Group B.
Canada’s Ismael Kone is removed from the game after a foul by Qatar’s Assim Madibo during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 18, 2026. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday also gave them four points, and both teams will decide who wins the group on June 24.
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