‘It’s just hurting people’: Jonathan David questions after Ismael Kone horror injury

Ismael Kone goes down with an injury during the World Cup Group B match against Qatar. (AP photo) Canada’s record 6-0 victory over Qatar in a Group B match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was dramatically overshadowed by a serious injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné, prompting strong reactions from teammates, including a scathing assessment of hat-trick hero Jonathan David.Koné suffered a serious left leg injury in the second half after a late tackle from behind by Qatar midfielder Assim Madiba. The impact left the 24-year-old in visible pain as teammates immediately signaled for medical attention and surrounded him on the pitch. Madibo was shown a straight red card following VAR intervention, while Qatar had already been reduced to ten men earlier in the match.READ ALSO: Canada’s win is emotional as Koné prepares to undergo surgery, Saliba pays moving tribute

Shock in camp as Koné faces surgery

Canada captain Stephen Eustaquio was among the first to arrive in Koné and described the moment as deeply disturbing.“I saw his leg. I saw something was wrong,” Eustaquio said, recalling the incident.Head coach Jesse Marsch later confirmed that Koné was taken to a local hospital and was preparing for surgery with his family by his side.Eustaquio also emphasized the midfielder’s importance to the team, adding: “He has the X-factor that our team really needs.”The severity of the injury has yet to be officially confirmed, but the scenes on the pitch left the players shaken despite the convincing scoreline.

David gives a damning verdict on the fight

While Canada dominated the match on the field, Jonathan David’s post-match comments reflected the emotional weight of the incident.“If there’s a game where you can’t win the ball, there’s no point,” David said. “It’s just hurting people.The striker’s hat-trick has already made World Cup history, but his reaction to Koné’s injury became one of the defining moments of the evening.