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Canada's Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg in their win against Qatar -Credit:Jared C. Tilton - FIFA, FIFA via Getty Images
Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone is set to undergo surgery following a severe injury suffered during Thursday's game against Qatar. Medical assessments confirm he has fractured both his fibula and tibia.
Kone was stretchered off the field after a challenge by Assim Madibo, who was shown a red card for the incident. The Canadian player was visibly distressed in the immediate aftermath of the collision, while Madibo looked distraught by what had transpired in the World Cup group game.
Tensions flared between both squads and their technical areas as medical personnel treated Kone. Despite concern spreading throughout the stadium, the 24-year-old was able to gesture to fans as he departed the playing surface, via The Mirror US.
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-Credit:Emilee Chinn, Getty Images
Following the match, Jesse Marsch confirmed that Kone was at the hospital with his mother, Suzanne, preparing for surgery. The former Leeds United boss also revealed that Madibo came to the locker room to apologize for his challenge.
"I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn't right," said Canada captain Stephen Eustaquio, who was among the first teammates to reach him. "We're going to miss (Kone). He has that X factor that our team really needs."
Hat-trick scorer Jonathan David questioned the justification for the tackle that injured Kone. "If there's a play where you cannot win the ball, there's no point," he said. "It's just to hurt people."
Marsch heaped praise on Kone following Canada's win and voiced his belief in the player's future prospects. He said: "Ismael is such a great kid.
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"He's so imperfect but that's why you love him. He can do great things and the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies a lot of what the team is. It's a huge loss for us.
"He'll be fine, we'll get him good doctors. He's got a big future and he's a big part of everything we'll do."
Despite the unfortunate injury, Canada dominated in their 6-0 win over Qatar. Following their fourth goal, scored by Kone's replacement Nathan Saliba, the team paid tribute to their stricken teammate.
Saliba retrieved a jersey bearing his teammate's name and number after a breathtaking free kick, raising it aloft to a thunderous reception from the sold-out home crowd.
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