Canada achieve historic first men’s World Cup win — but Ismaël Koné leaves field in distress

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If you were in BC Place, consider yourself lucky: you witnessed the greatest result in Canadian men’s soccer history.

This 6-0 win over Qatar was the day Canada took a step from World Cup outsider into a different tier: they were clinical from start to finish and with all six goals, eviscerated the memories of World Cup heartbreak.

Jesse Marsch’s side was 3-0 up by half time and Qatar were down to 10 men after a red card for Homam Al-Amin.

But the day will also be remembered for the apparently very serious lower left leg injury suffered by Ismaël Koné after a challenge by Assim Madibo, which also saw him sent off.

Nathan Saliba came on to replace Koné and promptly scored Canada’s fourth goal, celebrating by holding up Koné’s No. 8 shirt, and then a Qatar own goal made it 5-0 to the co-hosts.

Jonathan David scored Canada’s sixth, completing his hat-trick which also puts him joint-top of the Golden Boot standings, for the player who has scored the most goals at the World Cup — alongside a certain Lionel Messi.

Joshua Kloke, Tom Bogert and Anantaajith Raghuraman dissect the key talking points…

What did this win mean for Canada?

This was Canada’s first men’s World Cup win, the first time they have scored multiple goals in a World Cup game and, crucially, the first time they looked all but certain to go to the knockout round.

The energy throughout the city and the crowd itself built and built and experienced the kind of release all of Canada has been waiting for at the World Cup.

This was Canadian soccer at its emotional best: rollicking, front-foot and physical. Six goals from four different players showcases the depth Marsch has worked to foster.

Missing Koné moving forward is going to hurt this team in many ways, but the emotional push Canada showed on the day should not go overlooked.

Canada has truly arrived at the World Cup. And if their dominance can continue, they might not be going away any time soon — with their best player Alphonso Davies yet to play so far in this tournament.

They now look set for the knockout round for the first time in the program’s history. According to The Athletic’s projection tool, Canada has a greater than 99 percent chance of qualifying for the last 32.

Getting to the knockout round was the team’s stated goal. That they achieved it is a powerful step in the right direction.

Joshua Kloke

What happened to Ismaël Koné?

After Koné went down in the 51st minute after a challenge from Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo, Canada’s players gathered in a circle around their teammate, with Koné’s close friend Jonathan David in particular distress.

Koné had hit the pitch and quickly grabbed his lower left leg.

Madibo, who also appeared visibly upset, was initially given a yellow card which was changed to a red after a VAR review, and Koné had to be helped onto a stretcher and then left the pitch wearing an oxygen mask, sitting up and giving a thumbs up as he was taken from the field.

Ismaël Koné manages to wave to the crowd as he leaves the field (Agustin Marcarian/Reuters)

Saliba came on to replace Koné and promptly scored Canada’s fourth goal. He ran to the touchline and held Koné’s jersey up in celebration.

Koné was arguably Canada’s best player in their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina and has established himself as one of his side’s most important players.

Joshua Kloke

How did the atmosphere help Canada?

Before the game, head coach Marsch said he was expecting to see a sea of red at BC Place on Thursday — and fans certainly delivered.

The first burst of noise when the players walked towards the field literally caused water bottles to shake on the press row.

When Cyle Larin opened the scoring, the noise was electric. Canadian players acted with the crowd. They asked for more noise. They pointed to the badge. They screamed, too.

With the roof closed and nowhere for the sound to go but back down to the pitch, it was one of the loudest environments imaginable. The Canadian fans stepped up. And the players rewarded them with an historic win.

A sell-out crowd witnessed history being made (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

A beautifully emotional day, the kind of experience you can only get at a sporting event.

Tom Bogert

Should Canada have had a first-half penalty?

Canada’s fantastic first half was punctuated by Al-Amin’s 33rd-minute dismissal.

The move leading to it, like many of the hosts’ attacks throughout the half, was far too simple. Kone lobbed a pass forward and Tajon Buchanan broke free for the umpteenth time, running beyond the last line to get to the ball. Al-Amin made a last-ditch challenge from behind Buchanan and was unsuccessful, sending the Canada forward to the ground inside the box.

Referee Cristian Garay pointed to the spot and booked Al-Amin. But a quick exchange on his mic-set with the video assistant referee Juan Lara led to him changing that decision. Replays showed Buchanan had been caught just outside the box and a free kick was awarded and Al-Amin was sent off.

When a player commits a foul inside the box to deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity but attempts to play the ball, the sanction is a penalty and yellow card, to prevent “double punishing” the player and team. Al-Amin fouled outside the box but made no attempt to play the ball, tackling Buchanan from behind when he was one-on-one, making it a red-card offence.

Jesse Marsch (pictured below) certainly enjoyed the decision on the sidelines.

Anantaajith Raghuraman

How dominant were Canada in the first half?

The first 45 minutes for Canada over Qatar was as dominant a half you’ll see at this World Cup. With the fans behind them, Qatar was drowning from the opening whistle.

Canada put the game away 3-0 by half time, with a brace from David adding to Larin’s opening goal. The hosts held 67 percent possession, outshot Qatar 14-2 and generated 2.4 xG. They had 192 touches in the final third compared to Qatar’s 19.

They turned positional and possessional dominance to goals, putting the game out of reach before Qatar could get their feet under them. The scoreline is key after Switzerland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 4-1 earlier in the day but puts Marsch’s side top of Group B with a game to play.

It sets up the final group stage match between Canada and Switzerland very nicely indeed.

Tom Bogert

What next for Canada?

They are in Group B; their next match is against Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver, Canada.

If they win the group, they’ll play a third-place team from Groups E, F, G, I or J in their first knockout game in Vancouver on July 2.

If they get second, they’ll play the Group A runner-up in Los Angeles on June 28.

If they advance as a third-place team, they’ll play a group winner from Group D or E in Boston or San Francisco.