Canada’s World Cup campaign suffered a blow on Thursday after midfielder Ismaël Koné sustained a serious leg injury during the Group B clash against Qatar. From the initial images it appeared he had suffered a lower leg fracture.

The incident occurred in the 52nd minute when Koné was caught by a late challenge from Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo. Players from both teams reacted immediately, with several putting their hands to their heads as the severity of the injury became apparent.

The challenge initially resulted in a yellow card, but after a VAR review referee officials upgraded the punishment and showed Madibo a red card.

Canada players protect their injured player

Canada’s players surrounded their injured teammate while medical staff treated him on the field. Non-playing members of the squad also formed a protective circle around Koné to prevent cameras from capturing the scene.

The midfielder was eventually carried off on a stretcher to applause from supporters. He was seen sitting upright and gave a thumbs-up and salute to fans as he left the field. His leg had been immobilized in an air cast and he was also receiving oxygen.

Saliba replaced Koné as play resumed.

Canada has not yet released an official medical update on the midfielder’s condition.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.