Jonathan David celebrated a hat-trick but kept his focus on teammate Ismaël Koné after Canada’s 6-0 victory that left the hosts in strong position to win Group B. Koné suffered a gruesome leg injury in the second half at BC Place, a moment that marred an otherwise dominant performance.
Konné was carried off on a stretcher with his left foot encased in protective medical gear after being clattered into by Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo, who was shown a straight red card for the challenge. Koné was taken to hospital and later prepared for surgery, according to multiple reports.
David told reporters after the game that the injury made celebration difficult. “It was very difficult, especially, in a game that was basically won at that point,” he said. “Obviously it was very hard for us, for himself, for the team. But we have to stay strong for him and to do it for him. He means everything to this team. If you asked the same question to any guy on the team, they will tell you the same. I don’t even know how to describe him, he’s someone that we love a lot.”
Canada did not ease off after the incident. Nathan Saliba, Koné’s replacement, scored seven minutes after coming on and displayed Koné’s shirt after his goal. The two Canadian players who scored after the injury dedicated their celebrations to Koné, and the hosts finished the match in emphatic fashion.
The hat-trick put David in rare company as the first World Cup hat trick by a player representing a host nation since England’s Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final. The atmosphere in BC Place grew increasingly raucous as goals accumulated — David said the crowd “gave you even more hunger, more determination to get the next goal and the next one” — and Canada rose to the top of Group B on goal difference. The win left the hosts needing only a draw against Switzerland in their final group match to guarantee they remain in Vancouver for the knockout rounds.
