Canada forward Nathan Saliba scored a goal and held up teammate Ismaël Koné's jersey as a tribute during a match against Qatar on Thursday, June 18, 2026 [1].
The moment highlighted the emotional toll of a severe leg injury to Koné, a key midfielder whose absence could impact Canada's momentum in the tournament.
The game took place at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada [2]. Saliba entered the match as a substitute and found the net in the 64th minute [3]. Following the goal, Saliba raised the jersey of Koné to honor his teammate, who had been forced to exit the game after suffering a gruesome leg injury [4].
At the time of Saliba's goal, Canada led Qatar 4-0 [3]. While some reports indicate the match concluded with a 6-0 victory for Canada [5], other sources focused on the 4-0 lead established during the tribute. The victory was marked by both athletic dominance and a visible display of team solidarity.
Koné's injury is described as serious, and reports indicate he is set to undergo surgery to repair the damage to his leg [5]. The incident occurred during a period of historic performance for the Canadian national team, though the loss of a veteran midfielder presents a challenge for the squad's depth moving forward.
Saliba's gesture served as a rally point for the team and the home crowd in Vancouver. The forward used the celebration to acknowledge the severity of the injury while maintaining the team's competitive drive on the pitch.
“Saliba scored and raised Ismaël Koné's jersey in tribute”
The severe injury to Ismaël Koné removes a veteran presence from Canada's midfield at a critical juncture. While Nathan Saliba's performance and the team's wide margin of victory over Qatar demonstrate depth and resilience, the necessity of surgery for Koné suggests a significant recovery period that may sideline him for the remainder of the competition.
