Canada may be without Ismael Kone as it looks to capture its first World Cup title.
In the second half of Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar on Thursday, Kone was stretchered off the field with what appeared to be a serious leg injury after a tackle from Qatar’s Assim Madibo and didn’t return.
A hush descended over the Vancouver crowd once fans and players realized the severity of the injury.
According to the TSN broadcast, Canada Soccer said Kone was being transported to a local hospital after having his left leg stabilized.
Certain Team Canada players shoved back the Qatar opponents, and Canadian manager Jesse Marsch questioned how the play could simply be called just a foul and nothing more.
The tackle was then upgraded to a red card after a VAR review, meaning Qatar was left with just nine players following a first-half penalty.
At the time of the injury, Canada led 3-0 after three first-half goals.
Midfielder Nathan Saliba then replaced Kone in the 56th minute and scored a goal to make it 4-0 eight minutes later from a free kick.
After scoring the goal, Saliba ran to the bench and was handed a Kone jersey and held it up as fans cheered.
Despite the injury, it was Canada’s first-ever World Cup victory, and it secured the top spot in Group B.
Next, Canada takes on Switzerland on Wednesday. Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 earlier Thursday.