Canada's Stephen Eustaquio said he believed the officials came to the right decision to send off Qatar's Assim Madibo for his tackle on Ismael Kone:

"For me it is a clear red - there's no debate in that. He broke his leg and they want a yellow? For me it makes no sense."

Eustaquio said the Canada players "felt so empty" after what happened to their team-mate but will now try to win their next match for former Watford midfielder Kone.

Watch his full interview below.

Canada

Image source, Getty Images

Canada first qualified for a World Cup in 1986.

But in the year Diego Maradona led Argentina to their second title, Canada’s tournament was an underwhelming one.

Drawn into a group featuring the Soviet Union, France and Hungary, they finished bottom with three defeats from as many matches.

They failed to score in their debut campaign and shipped five goals across the three matches.

They then had to wait until 2022 for a second opportunity, but the result was eerily similar - three straight defeats leading to another group-stage exit.

However, Alphonso Davies scored the country’s first-ever World Cup goal in a 4–1 defeat to Croatia in Qatar.

Canada

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The 6-0 win against Qatar marked a historic occasion for Canada.

It was their first win in a World Cup finals on their third appearance in the tournament.

It was also the first time Canada have scored multiple goals in a World Cup game - and they scored six for good measure.

Image source, Getty Images

While Ismael Kone and his injury was very much at the forefront of Jesse Marsch and his players' thoughts, they allowed themselves a moment to celebrate their historic result at the final whistle.

They grouped together in a huddle before Marsch led them on a lap of honour round the jubilant stadium, with the ex-Leeds boss thumping the air to the sound of Seven Nation Army over the speakers.

Marsch was appointed by Canada in May 2024, given the opportunity to rebuild his reputation, having been sacked by Leeds a year earlier, and then been snubbed for the role as head coach of his native USA.

"The big carrot was a home World Cup," he said. "But it was also to change the sport in the country, to create an identity for what Canadian soccer can be.

"No-one will forget this. No Canadian will forget this day. There will be 40 million people who said they were here when this happened.

"It is an incredible, seminal moment in this country."

Image source, Getty Images

A scuffle broke out between the two teams as frustration and anger over what had happened bubbled over.

During the second-half hydration break, Canada manager Jesse Marsch was in tears, while both he and his Qatar counterpart, Julen Lopetegui, had a testy exchange after the match.

They both refused to discuss their exchange in their post-match news conferences.

"I'm not spending one second (discussing it), it’s not worth any of our time to discuss," said Marsch.

Meanwhile, Qatar manager Lopetegui, the former Wolves and West Ham boss, said that "after the red card, it was different - it was a very tough match for us and the players, they did their best."

He also insisted there was no "intention" of Omer [Assim] Madibo to injure Canada midfielder Ismael Kone.

"I want to wish all the best to Kone, that he can recover as quickly as possible," said Lopetegui.

"This is the main thing, that's why I wish all the best for him.

"It was an accident, what happened. I am sure that Assim did not want to make this injury."

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Former England striker Dion Dublin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after Assim Madibo was sent off for the challenge on Ismael Kone:

"It’s a physical game, but when you know you’ve hurt someone, it hurts you.

"It’s a horrible situation to be in.

"You can always tell when it’s bad when a player doesn’t move. I feel for Kone.

"When stuff like this happens, this is a moment where all the footballers come together and look after each other."

JD, Scotland: Disagree with Shaun at 07:57, it was a lazy high swipe on Kone's standing leg from behind, nowhere near the ball. You do get some challenges where legs get trapped or studs caught in the ground which are unfortunate but not red, but this is the definition of excessive force.

Image source, Getty Images

Jesse Marsch also confirmed after the game that Qatar's Assim Madibo had apologised to Ismael Kone for his challenge but insisted the tackle had no ill-meaning.

"He came into the dressing room to apologise," added Marsch.

"I don't think he meant such a gruesome tackle, I don't fault him for that but I don't understand their reaction from their bench."

Madibo had been sent off for the tackle, leaving Qatar to finish the match with nine men - as Homam El Amin had been sent off for a professional foul on Tajon Buchanan in the first half.

Madibo made his international debut in 2017 and was part of the Qatar side that won their first-ever Asian Cup in 2019.

Canada midfielder Ismael Kone will now undergo surgery after suffering the dreadful injury, as confirmed by Canada boss Jesse March.

"I haven't spoken to Ismael yet, but he's at the hospital," Marsch said. "He will prepare for surgery."

Canada, meanwhile, are within a point of guaranteeing their place in the last 32 of the World Cup - an incredible achievement for a side who had never before registered a point at the tournament until their opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

They next face Switzerland knowing a win will ensure top spot in their group but they will have to do it without Kone, who is set for a period on the sidelines during his recovery.

“You can see the brotherhood,” added Marsch. “It is one of the first things I noticed when I took on this role, how close they are and how connected they are.

“In a moment like this, I don't think they need me so much, they have each other. Their families are here and we have a family barbecue tomorrow and we will enjoy that and he [Kone] will be on our minds.”

Omer Madibo was initially shown a yellow card for his tackle on Ismael Kone, but that was upgraded to a red card following intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR).

We will see if we can get an official explanation as to why that card was upgraded.

Image source, Getty Images

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said Ismael Kone was "a big part of the heart of our team" after the midfielder suffered a broken leg in their 6-0 win against Qatar.

"It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap," said Canada boss Jesse Marsch.

"Everybody's a little shaken by the whole experience because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team. It will be a big loss for us."

Despite the nature of the injury, Kone was waving to supporters as he was stretchered off the field of play.

"It is a statement about Ismael, but also this is an incredible team. I have been telling people for years about the character of this group," said Marsch.

"You got to see how everyone was crushed but we had to find a way to stay focused."

During the second-half hydration break, Marsch was in tears. Nathan Saliba - who had replaced Kone - held up his team-mate’s shirt after he scored his side's fourth.

“He will be back stronger than ever and he will continue to have a great career,” he said.

“I said at the water break that he would want us to finish this game - and that is what the guys did.”

Now you are up to speed, we will have a look at some of the reaction to those overnight matches.

On any other day, Mexico sealing their place in the last 32 would be the big story, but that has been overshadowed by the emotional scenes in Vancouver, which is where we are heading first.

Just a quick heads-up for the Tartan Army, we will be switching our focus to Scotland mid-morning as we take a long build up to their second game of the tournament - against Morocco in Boston (23:00 BST).

Scotland can book their place in the World Cup knockout stages for the first time in their history with victory over the African side, who are ranked sixth in the world and reached the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar.

More than 52,000 people crammed into Vancouver Stadium to watch co-hosts Canada move top of Group B on goal difference with a 6-0 win over Qatar, who finished the game with nine men.

Juventus striker Jonathan David weighed in with a hat-trick, while Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba and an own goal from Mohammad Al Mannai completed the scoring.

Qatar's Homam El Amin was sent off in the 33rd-minute for a professional foul on Tajon Buchanan, while Omer Madibo eventually saw red for his second-half tackle that led to Ismael Kone suffering a broken leg.

He was initially shown a yellow card but it was upgraded after a VAR check.

Canada's win moved them level on four points with Switzerland, who enjoyed a comprehensive 4-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

A point in their final game against the Swiss would see the co-hosts progress as group winners, while Switzerland will win the group with victory over Canada.

Remaining matches in Group B:

Wednesday, 24 June

• Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar
• Switzerland v Canada

Both matches kick off at 20:00 BST

As mentioned, Mexico became the first nation to seal their place in the last 32 at this World Cup with their second win in as many matches.

Luis Romo was in the right place at the right time to tap into an empty net in the 50th minute to seal their 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalajara.

Elsewhere in Group A, Teboho Mokoena scored an 83rd-minute penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, who had led for the majority of the match after Michal Sadilek rifled home on five minutes and seven seconds - the earliest goal of the tournament so far.

Remaining matches in Group A:

Thursday, 25 June

• Czech Republic v Mexico
• South Africa v South Korea

Both matches kick off at 02:00 BST

World Cup

As well as significant wins for co-hosts Mexico and Canada, Switzerland also took a big step towards the knockout stages with victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Los Angeles, while South Africa came from behind to draw with Czech Republic.

Click the links below to read the full match reports:

Group A

• Mexico 1-0 South Korea
• Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa

Group B

• Canada 6-0 Qatar
• Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina

Click on the play icons below to watch the highlights of the latest four matches at the World Cup...

Image source, Getty Images

A serious leg injury to Canada's former Watford midfielder Ismael Kone overshadowed what should have been a joyous occasion for the co-hosts in Vancouver overnight as they ran out 6-0 winners over Qatar.

Manager Jesse Marsch was moved to tears after the incident, which happened shortly after half-time, when the 24-year-old Sassoulo player was caught late by Qatar's Assim Madibo.

Kone looked anguished and in shock, with his leg visibly broken. His distraught team-mates rushed to him as the referee halted play so the medical staff could come on, while Madibo had his hands on his head.

Despite suffering an injury that has ended his World Cup, the Canadian lifted his thumb to the home crowd as he was taken off on a stretcher.

Canada had led 3-0 before the incident and went on to add a further three goals as they effectively sealed their progress from Group A.

Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico became the first side to officially qualify for the knockout stages, beating South Korea 1-0 to move to six points in Group A.