Marsch: ‘Canada bench heard the bone snap’ after Kone’s horror injury

Canada coach Jesse Marsch revealed the shocking severity of Ismael Kone’s injury after the midfielder was stretchered off during the team’s 6-0 win over Qatar at BC Place. Kone went down in the 51st minute following a reckless challenge from Assim Madibo, who initially received a yellow card before VAR upgraded it to red. Marsch said the Canadian bench immediately understood the gravity of the incident. “It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap,” he told reporters, confirming Kone had been taken to hospital for surgery preparation.

The 24-year-old, who plays for Sassuolo, still managed to wave to the crowd while receiving oxygen, a gesture Marsch described as emblematic of his character. The coach criticised Qatar’s bench for protesting the red card despite the clear injury. While the team finished the match strongly, Marsch admitted the squad was deeply shaken by losing a player he called “the heart of our team.”