20/06/2026

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SATURDAY • 20th JUNE 2026

Canada celebrate The Reds romp to first World Cup win but marred by Kone horror injury

C ANADA thrashed nine-man Qatar 6-0 to secure their first ever World Cup victory yes terday. Tournament co hosts Canada had lost all six of their previous matches at the World Cup, at the 1986 and 2022 finals, but brought that run of losses to a halt in spectacular fashion at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium. With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – wearing a replica Canada shirt – among a fired-up crowd, Jesse Marsch’s side ran riot to secure a win that leaves them need ing only a point against Switzerland to finish top of Group B. A hattrick from Juventus striker Jonathan David, one goal apiece from Cyle Larin and Nathan Saliba, and a Mohammad Manai own goal sealed Canada’s win. The victory was marred though by a serious left leg injury to mid fielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off after being clumsily upended by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the 51st minute. Madibo was initially shown a yel low card for the challenge which was subsequently upgraded to red. The stricken Kone was given oxygen as he was carried off the field, waving to fans. Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed afterwards Kone was being treated in hospital for a suspected broken leg, adding that his staff had understood the severity of the injury immediately. “It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” Marsch said. “I haven’t spoken to Ismael yet, but he’s at the hospital. He will prepare for a surgery. “Everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us. “He was waving to the crowd and almost making everybody else feel at ease with the fact that he’s injured and that’s an incredible statement about Ismael as a person,” Marsch said. “Everybody was crushed when it happened, but we had to find a way to stay focused, we knew that Ismael wanted us to finish the job. There’s a lot of thoughts that go through our heads right now, we’re all thinking

Ismael Kone of Canada is stretched off after being fouled by Qatar’s Assim Madibo (not pictured) during the 2026 Fifa World Cup Group B match at BC Place, Vancouver yesterday. – AFPPIC

cal advantage count, scoring three times in the second half to crucially boost their goal difference. The Canadians are level with Switzerland on four points at the top of the group, but their superior goal difference means they will win Group B if they draw when the two sides meet in Vancouver on June 24. – AFP

start a fight about it being a red card when a clear foul just happened that broke a player’s leg – some strange behaviour.” Madibo’s dismissal left Qatar down to nine men after Homam el Amin was also sent off in the first half for denying a goalscoring oppor tunity. Canada duly made their numeri

the dressing room and apologised to him, and Ismael told the team, or let the team know, that that had hap pened,” Marsch said. “So I don’t think that he meant such a gruesome tackle or gruesome situation, so I don’t fault him for that. “But I don’t understand a reac tion from their entire bench to try to

about him, but we’re all very proud of what we are.” Marsch though was unimpressed with the reaction of Qatar’s bench, who had protested vociferously when Madibo was given a red card for the challenge on Kone after ini tially being shown a yellow. “Let me be clear, the player apologised to Ismael, like came into

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