Kone injury overshadows Canada’s historic afternoon in 'Battle of Vancouver'

Estaquio ran around getting the medical team on as quickly as possible to aid Kone. Canada’s players were visibly distressed as was Assim Madibo, who was sent off for the challenge, which looked pretty innocuous, although late.

Kone’s teammates surrounded him as he was placed onto a stretcher, some comforting each other, whilst others were in heated exchanges with Qatari players. It took a few minutes for Kone to leave the field aided by the stretcher. Thankfully, he was sitting up, acknowledging the crowd singing his name, whilst also picking out loved ones to let them know he was ok.

On oxygen and painkillers, he got an embrace from both managers, as Qatar’s bench also shook his hand as he was wheeled away. 

The togetherness of the group was seen soon after as Nathan Saliba - the man bought on to replace the stricken Kone scored a wonderful free-kick. He picked up a Canada shirt from the bench, with eight on the back - Kone’s number - raising it in tribute. Jesse Marsch also got the whole squad together during the second hydration break, something that felt very symbolic.

Whilst Canada’s fans bask in the history, it was a torrid day for Qatar. Down to 10 early after Homman Al Amin was rightly sent off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, they phoned it in. Defensively, they were porous, despite putting everyone behind the ball, and Madibo’s rash challenge only made things worse.

It was an ill-disciplined showing from the 2022 hosts, and it could spell the end of their tournament. They wilted under the lights in Vancouver, in a display where no one can take any credit.

For Canada, with progression into the last 32 all but secured, their focus shifts to a big game against Switzerland, where, if they avoid defeat, they will top Group B - something that will see them create even more fans in a country where football isn’t king.

On top of that, Jonathan David and Cyle Larin looked a real threat - when the game was a contest - as a strike partnership. Harking back to the 2000s, this big man - little man combination worked well in tandem, scoring four of Canada’s X goals, as David secured his hat-trick in stoppage time, his third for the national team. 

His muted celebration told the story of the afternoon. A strange day of history and despair - now Marsch’s job will be to rally his side for adventures to come.