Canada are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages after a Jonathan David treble inspired a 6-0 win over woeful nine-man Qatar – in a result marred by a serious leg injury for midfielder Ismael Kone.
Jesse Marsch’s side were dominant from start to finish in Vancouver – leading 3-0 at half-time thanks to Jonathan David’s double and Cyle Larin’s opener. Qatar defender Homam El Amin was sent off for a last-man challenge on Tajon Buchanan in that half.
But the most pressing concern was for Canada midfielder Kone – who was stretchered off with oxygen after a challenge that left everyone watching distressed. VAR upgraded Assim Madibo’s yellow card to a red, probably after seeing everyone’s reaction to the tackle.
Kone’s replacement Nathan Saliba then curled in a free-kick to make it 4-0, and lifted his stricken team-mate’s shirt up in his celebration. Mohammad Al Mannai’s comical own goal made it worse for Qatar, as David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.
David’s volley for 2-0 was the pick of the bunch
The result means Canada need to avoid defeat against Switzerland in the final group game to claim top spot in Group B – which would see them play their round of 32 game in front of a home crowd.
The key moments from Vancouver…
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16: GOAL! Vancouver explodes with noise as Larin taps home after David’s shot is spilled into his path
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29: GOAL! David makes it 2-0 with a stunning volley from inside the area
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32: RED CARD! Canada are given a penalty for El Amin’s trip on Buchanan, but VAR awards a free-kick as it is outside the box. El Amin’s booking is upgraded to a red.
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45+3: GOAL! After more Canada pressure, David pokes home a third after Larin’s header is well-saved.
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51: RED CARD! Canada midfielder Kone suffers a serious injury after a foul by Modibo, needing to leave the pitch with oxygen and Canada players looking distressed. The Qatar player is sent off after VAR upgraded the yellow card.
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64: GOAL! Kone’s replacement Saliba scores a direct free-kick and holds up Kone’s shirt in his celebration.
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75: GOAL! Al Mannai scores a comical own goal by diverting Jacob Shaffelburg’s off target shot into his own net.
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90+2: GOAL! David completes his hat-trick amid more woeful defending.
In pictures: Horror as Kone suffers serious leg injury
Canada players looked distressed as Kone (not pictured) received treatment
Kone needed oxygen has he left the pitch
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch reaches out to Kone as he leaves the pitch
Canada’s Nathan Saliba holds up Kone’s shirt after scoring
Marsch reacts to Kone injury
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch:
“Ismael is such a great kid. He’s so imperfect but that’s part of why you love him. He can do great things, things that nobody else can do. And then the next moment he loses concentration for a second. He really embodies a lot of what the team is.
“Against Bosnia he was our best players, he was the one who wanted the ball, wanted to get going and wasn’t afraid.
“It’s a huge loss for us. He’ll be fine. We’ll get him to the doctors, we’ll get him back. Our heart is with him. That kid has got a big future.”
